Patent GB-1428865-A (GB)
Title: Process of cartridging water bearing explosive compositions
IPC: C06B21/00
Filed: 1974-10-03
Abstract: 1428865 Explosive compositions ICI AUSTRALIA Ltd 3 Oct 1974 [5 Oct 1973 19 Dec 1973] 42925/74 Heading C1D [Also in Division F3] A blasting cartridge comprises a friable gelled explosive composition comprising at least 50% w./w. of water-soluble inorganic oxygenreleasing salt, water and a synthetic polymericgelling agent. The oxygen-releasing salt comprises at least one of: a nitrate, chlorate or perehlorate of ammonia, an alkali metal or an alkaline earth metal. The explosive composition may include fuels selected from: TNT; cyclotri (or tetra) methylene tri (or tetra) nitramine; tetryl; PETN; nitrocellulose; nitrostarch; sugar; molasses; alcohols; glycols; glues; sulphur; aluminium; silicon, ferrosilicon; ferrophosphorous; magnesium, titanium; boron; polyvinylisobutyral; polyurethane; polystyrene; charcoal; anthracite; gilsonite; asphalt; fuel oil; paper pulp; wood pulp; wood meal; sawdust; flour; dextrins; starches; coffee grounds; bread crumbs. The explosive composition may also include: as an anti-foaming agent, ethyl hexanol; as a surfactant, alkylene oxide condensates of phenols or amides; and and as a sensitizer, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, amines, ethylene glycol mononitrate or the reaction product of aluminium powder with resin acids, rosin or derivatives thereof. The gelling agent in the explosive composition is one that has been prepared by: reacting under polymerizing conditions a first water-soluble monomer with at least one further monomer which carries a group that is capable of reacting with a metal ion or which may be converted to a form capable of reaction with a metal ion (optionally in the presence of a polymer or monomer that is sparingly soluble in water), for a time sufficient to form a copolymer which is at least partly soluble in an aqueous medium; and reacting the co-polymer so obtained with a redox system or a product derived therefrom which comprises at least one metal ion. The first water-soluble monomer comprises acrylamide, vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl alcohol, methacrylic acid or dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate. The metal ion is chromium, zinc, lead, tin, selenium, or iron. The redox system comprises: a dichromate of sodium or potassium; a chromate of potassium, barium, zinc or ammonia; lead acetate; hydrogen peroxide; sodium persulphate; ferrous chloride; ferrous gluconate, ferrous lactate, stannous chloride, selenium dioxide, arsenious oxide, potassium antimony tartrate, urea, thiourea, sodium thiosulphate, fumaric acid, maleic acid or malonic acid. The further monomer comprises methacrylol acetone, 2-acetoacetoxyethylmethacrylate, methacrylic hydrazide, acryloyliminodiacetic acid, 5 - allyloxymethyl - 8- quinolinol, N - formylamidoacrylic acid, 4 - cyclopentene - 1,3 - dione, diacetone acrylamide, 3 - (2 - hydroxy - 3 - naphthoyloxy) propyl acetate, or (meth) - acryloxymethylsalicylate. The optional further monomer comprises alkyl acrylate, alkyl methacrylate, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl pyridine, vinylidene chloride, styrene, acrylonitrile, alkyl vinyl ether, alkyl acetate, dialkyl maleate or dialkyl fumarate. The optional further polymer comprises a derivative of: acrylamide, methacryloylacetone, acrylonitrile, 2-acetoacetoxyethylmethacrylate, methyl methacrylate, vinyl acetate; or galactomannan gum, xanthan gum or guar gum.