Patent ID: 6979758

Claim:
A method for neutralizing a mine or unexploded ordnance comprising explosive in a casing, said method comprising the steps of (a) reacting a compound that undergoes a self propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS) reaction to form high temperature reaction products in quantity and at a rate sufficient to disrupt the casing; wherein the reactive compound is selected from the group consisting of (i) a combination of carbon and a metal that undergoes an SHS reaction with carbon to form a carbide, (ii) a combination of boron and a metal that undergoes an SHS reaction with boron to form a boride, (iii) a combination of silicon and a metal that undergoes an SHS reaction with silicon to form a silicide, (iv) a combination of at least two metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, nickel, and titanium that in combination undergo an SHS reaction to form an intermetallic alloy; and (v) a combination of sulfur and a metal that undergoes an SHS reaction with sulfur to form a chalcogenide; (b) causing the high temperature reaction products to disrupt the casing and ignite the explosive; and (c) burning or decomposing the explosive for a time sufficient to destroy the explosive.