Aluminum Powder Infuence on ANFO Detonation Parameters

Nowadays, ammonium nitrate-fuel oil (ANFO) is the most often used explosive in mining industry. Its advantages are: simple production, low price and practically lack of sensitivity to mechanical impacts during mechanical loading to shot-holes. ANFO has also some disadvantages: lack of waterproofness and low detonation parameters which reduce their range of use to dry blasting holes in low compactness rock masses. This paper presents the results of measurements of detonation parameters for aluminized ANFO with different amount of metallic powder. The experiment included application of faked aluminum into granulated ammonium nitrate(V) (type "Extra" - YARA company) with an addition of oil FLEX 401. Positive effects of aluminum powder content on the decrease of concentration of toxic gases in detonation products, and on the blast wave performance and the work ability of ANFO/Al are also discussed.