Patent ID: 8172967

Claim:
A solvent-free process to make mouldable plastic explosive simulant products, comprising the steps of: (a) mixing at room temperature the following ingredients to form a substantially homogeneous mixture: (1) a powdered explosive or inert simulant thereof; (2) a viscous liquid binder; (3) optionally, a plasticizer sufficient to increase the plasticity and malleability of the product without substantially negatively affecting surface adhesion of the product; (4) optionally, a rheology modifier sufficient to increase thixotropy, increase resistance to sagging, and minimize separation of the liquid binder from the powdered explosive or simulant; (5) optionally, a coloring agent sufficient to impart visually detectable, permanent, indelible color to the product; (6) optionally, a volatile chemical taggant sufficient to be detectable in the product by ion mobility spectrometer or by detector canine, and survive the process to retain detectability in the product; with the proviso that no solvent is used in the process; (b) manipulating the mixture to a predetermined shape and size by extruding and cutting, or pressing the mixture into moulds, and; (c) optionally, packaging the resultant shaped and sized product for shipping.