Frost-resistant emulsion explosives

Introduction. The paper considers the development of a frost-resistant emulsion explosive (EE) to create cartridges, including the ones with a small diameter. Research objective is to develop a frost-resistant cap-sensitive EE to create cartridges, including the ones with a small diameter, to increase the reliability, effi ciency, and safety of blasting operations in the northern and Arctic regions. Methods of research are based on EE frost resistance theoretical analysis and laboratory study, as well as ground tests on detonation velocity and completeness in the developed EE. Results. It is shown that EE with an oxidizing phase based on a binary solution of ammonium and calcium nitrate with calcium chloride under a particular water content and with a fuel phase based on the DEP-1 emulsifi er solution in a wide range of petroleum products meets the requirements of frost resistance. The resulting EE in a practically relevant temperature range (–60…+40 °С) represents an elastoplastic body that makes it possible to form durable cartridges that retain geometry. The socket for the detonator capsule is easily made anywhere in the cartridge using aluminum piercel or drill of the wood twist drill type. EE reliably detonates from the detonator capsule of the non-electric detonation system (SINV). The detonation velocity in open cartridges 32 mm in diameter is 4700–5000 m/s. Conclusions. The results obtained in the article justify the development of EE compositions suitable for patronized explosives for the northern and Arctic regions.