R. Meyer J. Köhler A. Homburg Explosives

263 Prequalification Test
Powder Form Explosives
Pulverförmige Sprengstoffe; explosifs pulverulents
Industrial explosives must be easy to shape, i.e., must have a gelatinous
or powdery consistency in order to introduce the detonator or
electric cap. Powder-form explosives are mostly based on ammonium
nitrate and fuel components (e.g., aluminum).
The powders can be sensitized by the addition of nitroglycerine in
small percentages. Non-cap sensitive powders (W Blasting Agents)
need a booster charge for safe initiation.
Certain types of powder-form explosives contain moisture repelling
additives such as stearates; in paraffinated cartridges they can be
applied even under wet conditions. Non-cartridged powder form explosives
must be free-flowing (W ANFO).
Ion exchanged W Permitted Explosives are based on so-called salt
pairs (sodium nitrate ammonium chloride or potassium nitrate – ammonium
chloride) and are thus also in powder form.
Pre-ignition
Vorzeitige Selbstentzündung; allumage spontané
Spontaneous and premature ignition.
Premature Firing
Frühzündung; départ prématuré
The detonation of an explosive charge or the ignition of an electric
blasting cap before the planned time. This can be a hazardous occurrence
and is usually accidental.
Prequalification Test
Vorprüfung; test préliminaire
Brief test program conducted on an item or system to determine if it
will meet only the most rigorous specified requirements.