The word "explosive" can be defined as a "chemical compound that can be ignited by friction, heat, shock or impact when detonated to release rapid heat and pressurized gas."The energy released by the gases causes' rock displacement, rock fragmentation, ground vibration and massive air blast. The explosives theory states that detonation usually produces a high-velocity vibration and shock waves which in turn causes cracks in rocks. The common properties of explosives include: they are exothermic, spontaneous, produces heat and once initiated, they sustain the process on their own. Explosives are referred as energetic materials used to be known as black powder or gunpowder (Thompson, 1940). At the onset of development of explosives, black powder was used in mines, drilling boreholes, propellants, military explosives and guns. This research will examine briefly the chemistry behind explosives.
Background and theoretical framework. The contents of explosives are classified as: .
Explosive Bases - a liquid or solid compound that break down rapidly into gaseous products and heat energy upon application of shock or heat. An example of such a compound is Nitroglycerine(Burtsell, 1943).
Combustibles – compounds that combine with vast excess of oxygen to attain an oxygen balance and inhibit the formation of toxic nitrous oxide fumes and lower heat(Thompson, 1940).
Oxygen Carriers – oxygen carriers ensure that there is complete carbon oxidation in the explosion thereby minimizing the formation of carbon monoxide. The oxygen carriers prevent the lowering of exploding temperature that means there will be a low efficient blasting (Burtsell, 1943).
Antacids – added to the explosive to increase the long-term storage life and lower acidity of the explosive base, especially nitroglycerin.
Absorbents - usually applied in a dynamite to retain an explosive base and prevent it from seepage, exudation, as well as settlement at the cartridge bottom.