Erythritol tetranitrate as a sensitizer in ammonium nitrate based explosives

This paper focuses on ammonium nitrate based explosives sensitized with erythritol tetranitrate. Erythritol tetranitrate (ETN) is an ester of nitric acid and erythritol. It is a low melting crystalline solid with explosive properties similar to those of pentaerythritol tetranitrate. Experiments were conducted in order to determine any sensitizing effect this compound might have on three basic types of ammonium nitrate based mixtures – powdered, slurry and emulsion explosives. According to the results obtained, erythritol tetranitrate acts as a sensitizer giving detonator sensitivity to ammonium nitrate based explosives when incorporated therein in quantities from 10 to 20 percent.