Assessment of the impact of the comminution of property modifiers – plastics used in ANFO, on the energy parameters of the high-energy materials

Abstract

Plastics are an important usable energy resource. The energy stored in them can be used as fuel in modified high-energy materials. Such use makes it possible to simultaneously dispose of waste plastics and improve the energy properties of modified explosives. The simplest material that is used for this purpose is ammonium nitrate fuel oil (ANFO)—commonly used in rock mining. Tests carried out in the Trauzl lead block test assessing the strength of explosive have shown that, with the right amount of certain polymers, similar or even better properties—energy performance—can be achieved by replacing the fuel oil in ANFO. In turn, tests conducted on the impact of plastic comminution on the assessment of the strength of high-energy material showed that a 1.0% addition of polypropylene, polyethylene or polyurethane significantly increases the strength with reference to ANFO. The test results are of practical importance and, for a more complete assessment of the suitability of polymers for use, it will be advisable to conduct further studies of the properties of high-energy materials with selected plastics.