Sprengstoff

An explosive composition comprises ammonium nitrate and a quantity of a solid phenol-aldehyde resin such as to render the composition sensitive to a commercial detonator having a base charge of 0.24 gram of PETN or 2.0 grams of 80/20 mercury fulminate/potassium chlorate. The composition may be formed by treating ammonium nitrate granules with a solution of the resin, drying off the solvent in a stream of heated air, and heating to above 70 DEG C. to effect polymerization and cross-linking of the resin. In examples, ammonium nitrate is treated with an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution of phenol-formaldehyde resin, an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution of resorcinol-formaldehyde resin, and an alcohol solution of ammonia condensed cresol/formaldehyde resin. Potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, and aluminium are included in some of the compositions. Other optional ingredients referred to are anthracite and wood meal. The explosives are more easily detonated than previous ammonium nitrate compositions containing non-explosive sensitizers.