124:
403:, readily absorbing water from air. In humid environments, absorbed water interferes with its explosive function. AN is fully water-soluble; as such, it cannot be loaded into boreholes that contain standing water. When used in wet mining conditions, considerable effort must be taken to remove standing water and install a liner in the borehole; it is generally more productive to instead use a water-resistant explosive such as emulsion.
373:
25:
136:
270:
balanced reaction, ANFO is composed of about 94.5% AN and 5.5% FO by weight. In practice, a slight excess of fuel oil is added, as underdosing results in reduced performance while overdosing merely results in more post-blast fumes. When detonation conditions are optimal, the aforementioned gases are
1321:
Securing
Ammonium Nitrate: Using Lessons Learned in Afghanistan to Protect the Homeland from IEDs: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Security Technologies of the Committee on Homeland Security, House of Representatives, One Hundred Twelfth Congress,
387:
While the density of pure crystalline ammonium nitrate is 1700 kg/m, individual prills of explosive-grade AN measure approximately 1300 kg/m. Their lower density is due to the presence of a small spherical air pocket within each prill: this is the primary difference between AN sold for
388:
blasting and that sold for agricultural use. These voids are necessary to sensitize ANFO: they create so-called "hot spots". Finely powdered aluminium can be added to ANFO to increase both sensitivity and energy; in commercial usages however, this has fallen out of favor due to cost.
669:
In April 2010, police in Greece confiscated 180 kg of ANFO and other related material stashed in a hideaway in the Athens suburb of Kareas. The material was believed to be linked to attacks previously carried out by the "Revolutionary
Struggle" terrorist group.
395:
of about 840 kg/m. In surface mining applications, it is typically loaded into boreholes by dedicated trucks that mix the AN and FO components immediately before the product is dispensed. In underground mining applications, ANFO is typically blow-loaded.
230:, or performance in small-diameter columns. The mining industry accounts for an estimated 90% of the more than 2.5 thousand tonnes (5.5 million pounds) of explosives used annually in the United States. ANFO is also widely used in
734:
ammonium nitrate effectiveness in which the interaction of the detonation front with a spherical void concentrates energy. Blasting-grade AN prills are typically between 0.9 and 3.0 mm in diameter.
623:
rocked the city of
Shijiazhuang, China, on 16 March 2001. A total of 108 people were killed, and 38 others injured when, within a short time, several ANFO bombs exploded near four apartment buildings.
380:
In the mining industry, the term ANFO specifically describes a mixture of solid ammonium nitrate prills and diesel fuel. Other explosives based on the ANFO chemistry exist; the most commonly used are
688:
On 22 July 2011, an aluminium powder-enriched ANNM explosive, with total size of 950 kg (150 kg of aluminium powder), increasing demolition power by 10–30% over plain ANFO, was used in the
1303:
1277:
226:, and civil construction in applications where its low cost and ease of use may outweigh the benefits of other explosives, such as water resistance, oxygen balance, higher
360:
compared to other industrial explosives, measuring 3,200 m/s in 130 mm (5 in) diameter, unconfined, at ambient temperature. It is described as a
558:), along with f15 explosive. Five containers of 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) each were used to blow up the Tax Office building in Bastia on 28 February 1987.
356:
at a velocity higher than the speed of sound in the material, but the low sensitivity means that it is not generally regulated as such. ANFO has a moderate
1258:
730:
AN fertilizers, that "hot spots" can be created by blending powdered sugar into the ANFO mixture, effectively sensitizing the mixture to mining-standard
384:. They differ from ANFO in the physical form the reactants take. The most notable properties of emulsions are water resistance and higher bulk density.
681:
also issued a decree banning the use, production, storage, purchase, or sale of ammonium nitrate, after an investigation showed militants in the
810:
586:
585:
of May 1974 which killed 34 people & injured almost 300, ANFO car bombs were used in Dublin. It has also seen use by groups such as the
1160:
710:
were arrested in Athens, Greece, accused of multiple attacks on immigrants and activists. They had 50 kg of ANFO in their possession.
555:
540:
271:
the only products. In practical use, such conditions are impossible to attain, and blasts produce moderate amounts of toxic gases such as
463:
Unmixed ammonium nitrate can decompose explosively, and has been responsible for several industrial disasters, including the following:
1141:[Shijiazhuang nine suspects of the sale of explosives were detained in criminal detention] (in Chinese). Beijing. 3 April 2001
1084:
797:
458:
896:
505:
364:, as its explosive velocity is far from the thermodynamic ideal due to its porosity and the phase separation of its two components.
172:
108:
419:
that powers their vehicles. While many fuels can theoretically be used, the low volatility and cost of diesel make it ideal.
46:
1036:
582:
411:
In most jurisdictions, ammonium nitrate need not be classified as an explosive for transport purposes; it is merely an
317:
with the small amount of primary explosives within. A larger quantity of secondary explosive, known as a primer or a
1336:
1138:
89:
123:
35:
61:
1304:"Ο 'Τσαμπ' της 'Combat 18' και ο 'Λύκος' της Χρυσής Αυγής επιβεβαιώνουν τη λογική των 'συγκοινωνούντων δοχείων'"
937:
639:
515:
68:
590:
574:
357:
1057:
P. Cosgrove. Ammogex
Material Safety Data Sheet, Document No: HS-MSDS-03, Irish Industrial Explosives Ltd
449:. In many countries, its purchase and use are restricted to buyers who have obtained the proper license.
696:
620:
613:
548:
521:
442:
42:
75:
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689:
573:
were consuming 21,000 kilograms (47,000 pounds) of ammonium nitrate for the majority of bombs. The
475:
313:(or a "blasting agent"). Without a sensitizer, it cannot be detonated by a typical (such as No. 8)
227:
682:
627:
543:, who learned how to make and use ANFO from a Wisconsin Conservation Department booklet entitled
485:
310:
57:
1168:
1209:
1109:
Henry
Stanhope (8 November 1974). "The will to blow the lid off Ulster still remains strong".
1090:
1080:
1018:
995:
964:"Improving ANFO: Effect of Additives and Ammonium Nitrate Morphology on Detonation Parameters"
919:
892:
851:
780:
663:
659:
479:
318:
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635:
196:
149:
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272:
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1278:"Two men appear in court charged with possession of 150 kg of homemade explosives"
990:
963:
651:
598:
528:
495:
431:
427:
345:
276:
267:
259:
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The chemistry of ANFO detonation is the reaction of ammonium nitrate with a long-chain
189:
207:) (AN), which acts as the oxidizing agent and absorbent for the fuel, and 6% number 2
1330:
1069:
666:) following reports that those chemicals were used by militants to make explosives.
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82:
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in confined waters and nitrate/gas oil contamination of ground or surface water.
678:
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416:
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215:
24:
918:(15th ed.). E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company. 1969. pp. 64–68.
602:
438:
349:
750:
1161:"Afghanistan bans chemical used to make bombs; protesters denounce killings"
707:
647:
643:
578:
423:
334:
314:
298:
219:
999:
1259:"Police in Norway Extend Terror Probe Across Europe After Breivik Attacks"
876:. Wisconsin Conservation Department, Madison, Wisconsin 53701. p. 11.
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1238:[Such seemed the shock wave after the bomb] (in Norwegian). NRK
1022:
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784:
731:
655:
1235:
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ANFO was used in 1970 when protests by students became violent at the
1320:
1257:
Stigset, Marianne; Kremer, Josiane; Treloar, Stephen (27 July 2011).
243:
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128:
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134:
122:
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135:
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18:
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A more sophisticated variant of ANFO (ammonium nitrate with
301:
in the mixture will sensitise it to detonate more readily.
164:
1234:
Stina Åshildsdatter Grolid; Unni
Eikeseth (25 July 2011).
155:
699:
members were stopped in Dublin with 67 kg of ANFO.
415:. Mines typically prepare ANFO on-site using the same
173:
161:
158:
289:
The fuel component of ANFO is typically diesel, but
577:(UVF) also made use of ANFO bombs, often mixing in
325:were historically used; current practice is to use
152:
49:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
1068:
726:It was found by the IRA, in response to using low-
938:"Explosives – ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate – Fuel Oil)"
702:On 6 March 2018, 8 members of the extreme right
1039:. Occupation Safety & Health Administration
612:as the fuel, called ANNM) was used in the 1995
426:–insensitive, so it is legally classified as a
211:(FO). The use of ANFO originated in the 1950s.
1210:"Bomb Material Cache Uncovered in Afghanistan"
1183:"Afghanistan bans chemical used to make bombs"
889:Principles and Practices of Modern Coal Mining
1071:Buda's Wagon: A Brief History of the Car Bomb
139:25 kg (55 lb) sacks containing ANFO
8:
376:Charging a hole with ANFO for rock blasting
957:
955:
127:Ammonium nitrate prills used in ANFO at a
989:
979:
867:
865:
554:ANFO used to be widely used by the FLNC (
109:Learn how and when to remove this message
910:
908:
685:had used the substance in bomb attacks.
626:In November 2009, the government of the
309:ANFO is highly insensitive, making it a
297:have been used instead. Finely powdered
742:
719:
1236:"Slik virket trykkbølgen etter bomben"
962:Fabin, M; Jarosz, T (1 October 2021).
891:. New Age International. p. 532.
587:Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia
437:Ammonium nitrate is widely used as a
321:, must be used. One or two sticks of
7:
1015:The Science of Industrial Explosives
848:The Science of Industrial Explosives
777:The Science of Industrial Explosives
556:National Liberation Front of Corsica
47:adding citations to reliable sources
1208:Dexter Filkins (11 November 2009).
188:) is a widely used bulk industrial
811:"Explosives regulation in the USA"
459:List of ammonium nitrate disasters
293:, coal dust, racing fuel, or even
14:
506:West Fertilizer Company explosion
1037:"Explosives and blasting agents"
695:On 13 April 2016, two suspected
148:
23:
1276:Daniel Hickey (13 April 2016).
1017:. IRECO Chemicals. p. 16.
541:University of Wisconsin–Madison
430:(tertiary explosive) and not a
34:needs additional citations for
850:. IRECO Chemicals. p. 2.
779:. IRECO Chemicals. p. 1.
605:, using two ANFO truck bombs.
527:Environmental hazards include
422:ANFO under most conditions is
348:in that it decomposes through
1:
1189:. AP Foreign. 22 January 2010
1167:. Albany, N.Y. Archived from
874:Pothole Blasting for Wildlife
809:Edward M. Green (June 2006).
545:Pothole Blasting for Wildlife
1322:Second Session, 12 July 2012
628:North West Frontier Province
583:Dublin and Monaghan bombings
192:. It consists of 94% porous
1075:. New York: Verso. p.
872:Mathiak, Harold A. (1965).
673:In January 2010, President
232:avalanche hazard mitigation
1353:
456:
341:or similar compositions).
820:(465): 78. Archived from
214:It has found wide use in
186:ammonium nitrate/fuel oil
1013:Cook, Melvin A. (1974).
846:Cook, Melvin A. (1974).
775:Cook, Melvin A. (1974).
640:calcium ammonium nitrate
638:, ammonium nitrate, and
362:non-ideal high explosive
798:Encyclopædia Britannica
755:Encyclopedia Britannica
662:districts (the former
575:Ulster Volunteer Force
569:in 1972 and, by 1973,
445:. It is also found in
377:
344:ANFO is technically a
140:
132:
887:Singh, R. D. (2005).
621:Shijiazhuang bombings
614:Oklahoma City bombing
581:as a booster, in the
549:Sterling Hall bombing
443:agricultural industry
375:
138:
126:
1139:"石家庄九名制贩爆炸物的嫌犯被刑事拘留"
940:. GlobalSecurity.org
818:Industrial Materials
305:Explosive properties
43:improve this article
1067:Mike Davis (2007).
642:fertilizers in the
565:was adopted by the
547:, resulting in the
476:Texas City disaster
228:detonation velocity
1214:The New York Times
981:10.3390/ma14195745
916:Blasters' Handbook
827:on 11 October 2022
751:"ANFO | explosive"
683:Taliban insurgency
516:Tianjin explosions
486:Ryongchon disaster
447:instant cold packs
378:
311:tertiary explosive
268:stoichiometrically
141:
133:
1337:Binary explosives
1282:Irish Independent
664:Malakand Division
634:imposed a ban on
480:Texas City, Texas
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636:ammonium sulfate
597:perpetrated the
535:Paramilitary use
522:Beirut explosion
197:ammonium nitrate
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567:Provisional IRA
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469:Oppau explosion
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277:nitrogen oxides
273:carbon monoxide
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457:Main article:
454:
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432:high explosive
428:blasting agent
408:
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368:Industrial use
366:
346:high explosive
306:
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266:. In an ideal
260:carbon dioxide
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399:AN is highly
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99:November 2011
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63:
60: –
59:
55:
54:Find sources:
48:
44:
38:
37:
32:This article
30:
26:
21:
20:
1298:
1286:. Retrieved
1281:
1271:
1262:
1252:
1240:. Retrieved
1229:
1217:. Retrieved
1213:
1203:
1191:. Retrieved
1187:The Guardian
1186:
1177:
1169:the original
1164:
1155:
1143:. Retrieved
1133:
1119:
1110:
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1062:
1053:
1041:. Retrieved
1031:
1014:
1008:
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942:. Retrieved
932:
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882:
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847:
841:
829:. Retrieved
822:the original
817:
804:
793:
776:
770:
758:. Retrieved
754:
745:
722:
701:
694:
690:Oslo bombing
687:
675:Hamid Karzai
672:
668:
625:
618:
610:nitromethane
607:
595:Shining Path
571:the Troubles
560:
553:
544:
538:
526:
500:Oslo, Norway
462:
436:
421:
410:
398:
393:bulk density
390:
386:
379:
361:
354:deflagration
352:rather than
343:
315:blasting cap
308:
288:
241:
222:, metal ore
213:
185:
181:
143:
142:
120:
105:
96:
86:
79:
72:
65:
53:
41:Please help
36:verification
33:
1165:Times Union
679:Afghanistan
593:. In 1992,
510:West, Texas
490:North Korea
417:diesel fuel
401:hygroscopic
391:ANFO has a
216:coal mining
129:potash mine
1095:2007274127
1023:B0000EGDJT
924:B000JM3SD0
856:B0000EGDJT
785:B0000EGDJT
714:References
630:(NWFP) of
603:Lima, Peru
471:in Germany
439:fertilizer
407:Regulation
350:detonation
254:) to form
69:newspapers
1263:Bloomberg
1145:12 August
1113:. London.
1111:The Times
968:Materials
708:Combat 18
648:Lower Dir
644:Upper Dir
579:gelignite
561:The ANFO
453:Disasters
424:detonator
382:emulsions
335:pentolite
299:aluminium
238:Chemistry
220:quarrying
16:Explosive
1331:Category
1288:16 April
1284:. Dublin
1000:34640139
728:brisance
704:neo-Nazi
660:Malakand
632:Pakistan
563:car bomb
413:oxidizer
358:velocity
323:dynamite
295:molasses
291:kerosene
256:nitrogen
209:fuel oil
1242:28 July
1219:3 March
1193:3 March
1125:"Bombs"
1043:3 March
991:8510347
944:3 March
831:3 March
732:prilled
656:Chitral
441:in the
319:booster
194:prilled
83:scholar
1093:
1083:
1021:
998:
988:
974:(19).
922:
895:
854:
783:
706:group
262:, and
244:alkane
224:mining
184:, for
180:) (or
85:
78:
71:
64:
58:"ANFO"
56:
825:(PDF)
814:(PDF)
760:4 May
520:2020
514:2015
504:2013
494:2011
484:2004
474:1947
467:1921
337:(TNT/
327:Tovex
264:water
182:AN/FO
90:JSTOR
76:books
1290:2016
1244:2011
1221:2013
1195:2013
1147:2017
1091:LCCN
1081:ISBN
1045:2013
1019:ASIN
996:PMID
946:2013
920:ASIN
893:ISBN
852:ASIN
833:2013
781:ASIN
762:2019
658:and
652:Swat
619:The
589:and
339:PETN
275:and
252:2n+2
177:-foh
144:ANFO
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986:PMC
976:doi
697:IRA
677:of
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329:or
286:).
199:(NH
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