Explosive compositions for use in high temperature, reactive ground, or both, are disclosed. The explosive compositions can include an emulsion with a continuous organic fuel phase and a discontinuous oxidizer phase. The oxidizer phase can include one or more Group I or Group II nitrates.

An energetic nanocomposite includes fuel nanoparticles and oxidizer nanoparticles covalently bonded to negatively charged functionalized graphene sheets. A preferred example includes Al fuel nanoparticles and Bi.sub.2O.sub.3 nanoparticles. A preferred method of formation mixes a solution of positively charged fuel nanoparticles, positively charged oxidizer nanoparticles, and negatively charged functionalized graphene sheets having functional groups to bond with the positively charged fuel nanoparticles and positively charged oxidizer nanoparticles. Self-assembly of the energetic nanocomposite is permitted over a predetermined time via the attraction and aggregation of the positively charged fuel nanoparticles positively charged oxidizer nanoparticles and negatively charged functionalized graphene sheets. Additional methods and nanocomposites include unfunctionalized graphene sheets, which can be commercial grade sheets.

The present invention relates to a manufactured graphene/metal or metalloid core-shell composite and manufacturing method thereof. The method comprising: using a modified graphene oxide as a base, then performing concentration and steam drying followed by organic solvent replacement to obtain a modified graphene oxide organic solvent; using a liquid-phase self-assembly method to coat the modified graphene oxide onto a surface of the metal or metalloid to form a graphene/metal or metalloid coated particle solution, then filtering and drying to obtain the graphene metal/metalloid core-shell composite. The method improves upon a conventional organic and inorganic material coating technique, and reduces an impact of a water-based solvent and high temperature on a highly reactive metal and metalloid, thereby expanding the feasibility of the coating technique and addressing a barrier of applicability of graphene and reactive metal or metalloid in the field of energetic materials.

A method of additively manufacturing propellant elements, such as for rocket motors, includes partially curing a propellant mixture before extruding or otherwise dispensing the material, such that the extruded propellant material is deposited on the element in a partially-cured state. The curing process for the partially-cured extruded material may be completed shortly after the material is put into place, for example by the material being heated at or above its cure temperature, such that it finishes curing before it fully cools. The propellant material may be prepared by first mixing together, a fuel, an oxidizer, and a binder, such as in an acoustic mixer. After that mixing a curative may be added to the mixture. The propellant mixture may then be directed to an extruder (or other dispenser), in which the mixture is heated to or above a cure temperature prior to the deposition, and then deposited.

A nanoenergetic material composite having a remote ignition characteristic by a high-power pulsed laser beam is prepared by adding various contents of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to a nanoenergetic composite material (nEM) to enable remote ignition by a high-power laser beam. The nanoenergetic material composite is a MWCNT/nEM composite powder prepared by adding multiwalled carbon nanotubes to the nanoenergetic material, which is a mixture of fuel material nanoparticles and metal oxidizer nanoparticles, wherein the multiwalled carbon nanotubes enhance a combustion rate of the MWCNT/nEM composite powder by delivering thermal energy upon remote optical ignition by the high-power pulsed laser beam.

Provided is an emulsion matrix ground station with intrinsic safety, which relates to the technical field of emulsion matrix preparation process and apparatus of mobile ground auxiliary equipment in civil explosive industry. The emulsion matrix ground station may include a water phase tank, an oil phase tank, a water phase pump, an oil phase pump and a static emulsification device. The water phase pump may have an inlet connected to an outlet of the water phase tank by a pipeline, and an outlet connected to a water phase inlet of the static emulsification device by a pipeline. The oil phase pump may have an inlet connected to an outlet of the oil phase tank by a pipeline, and an outlet connected to an oil phase inlet of the static emulsification device by a pipeline.

The present invention relates to a method and device for emulsifying emulsion explosive: an oil phase and a part of a water phase having undergone split-flow enter a first stage coarse emulsion mixer; after mixing, the mixture together with a part of the water phase having undergone second stage split-flow enters a second stage coarse emulsion mixer; the obtained mixture together with a part of the water phase having undergone third stage split-flow enters a third stage coarse emulsion mixer for mixing; forming a coarse emulsion matrix after multiple stages of mixing, and finally completing emulsification after mixing in a multi-stage fine emulsion mixer. The method and device mix the water phase with the oil phase multiple times according to a desired ratio, thus greatly reducing the stored explosive, with no mechanical stirring or shearing, with no heat accumulation, and with low pressure, without requiring matrix pumping, thus enhancing safety.

The present disclosure generally pertains to a device for separating two or more components of an explosive device. The elongated hollow device has an interior space for holding the components as well as two open ends. A separator is positioned within the device, thus creating at least two non-communicating compartments. The separator prevents the premature mixing of the components. Application of compressive force onto the circumference of the separator will cause the separator to fracture, thus mixing the components. The device increases safety and lowers costs associated with shipping explosive materials by keeping the components separated until immediately before use.

Systems for delivering explosives including homogenizing agents and methods of delivering explosives including homogenizing agents are provided. Methods of mixing homogenizing agents with emulsion matrices are also provided. The methods can include supplying an emulsion matrix, mixing a homogenizing agent with the emulsion matrix into a mixed product, and homogenizing the mixed product into a homogenized product. The homogenized product can be sensitized and/or conveyed to a blasthole.

A resulting extended bulk explosive and the process for preparing and blending oil shale particulate with bulk explosives is provided, whereby the extending bulk explosive reduces its detonation velocity. The process includes the proper preparation of oil shale granulates to gain different cost effects and performance levels with predetermined blending percentages. The oil shale granulates may be crushed, screened, dried and prepared for blending in accordance to the disclosure of the present invention.