Binary
Binary explosives are cap-sensitive (detonatable with a standard #8 blasting cap) two-part explosives mixtures, shipped separately and combined at the use site.
Many of these mixtures are based on Ammonium nitrate as an oxidizer plus a volatile fuel, but unlike ANFO (ammonium nitrate fuel oil explosive) these binaries can be detonated by blasting caps. ANFO requires high explosive boosters to detonate it.
Most binary explosives are a slurry after mixing, but some form a fluid with solid components dissolved into liquid ones.
Some common binary explosives include:
- Kinestik
- Kinepouch
- Kinepak
- Boulder-Busters
- Marine Pac
- ASTRO-PAK
The historical but now uncommon Astrolite explosive is also a binary explosive.
This category is somewhat unusual in that a single explosives researcher, Gerald Hurst, was responsible for inventing and developing most of the explosive mixtures now in use.
Read more about this topic: Use Forms Of Explosives