Non-ideal explosives with differing contents of silicon dioxide (silica or dioxosilane) added in the form of powder and gel were tested. Measurements of structure, crystallinity and morphology were performed by means of infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). IR and XRD analysis revealed a lack of SiO₂ influence on the non-ideal explosive structure. SEM analysis indicated that all the surface deformations of ammonium nitrate(V) prill were filled by a thin fuel film layer on which SiO₂ was present. The additional calculations of selected theoretical properties of non-ideal compositions were made using ZMWCyw software. Based on this, it was established that the optimum semimetal content was 1.0 wt.%. Blasting tests confirmed that the addition of 1.0 wt.% SiO₂ to the Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO) resulted in the lowest volume of post-blast fumes. Moreover, it was established that finer SiO₂ powder cannot be used as the oxide component enhancer due to the inhibition of detonation reaction. SiO₂ should be used only as an inert component.

The aim of the research was to compare the chemical composition and morphology of the surface of the backsheet growing on the metallic and surface substrate growing already on the prepared mineral substrate. Moreover the aim of this study was also to analyze the dispersion of chemical elements on the cross-sections of deposits formed on parts of landfill biogas-driven engines. The chemical composition of extreme layers of mineral deposits extracted from the engine piston and their cross-sections from four pistons and one head was examined by SEM-EDS. The bottom side showed a much smaller heterogeneity of the topography of the surface than the topside. The chemical composition of the deposit bottom side it primarily S (41%), Si (34%) and Al (17%). In the case of the top side, the dominated of Ca (52%) with a relatively high share of S (32%) and Si (14%). The presence of P and Mg it was also found, but only on the bottom side, and the share of Fe and Zn only on the top side. In the case of cross-sections, Ca, S and Si were the dominant elements. In general, there were higher Si participations in the zone of the bottom layer with a downward trend to the top sheet. The mass shares of S and Ca were lower in the zone of the bottom layer with the upward trend to the top sheet, also undergoing fluctuation.

This work aims to evaluate the possible application of pyrolysis fuel oils obtained through the pyrolysis of waste plastics. by comparing both the blasting properties and morphology results of Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO), which is applied in the mining industry, and ANFO based on pyrolysis fuel oils (FOs), as well as low-temperature properties of all tested FO samples. The low-temperature research includes the measurements of density, kinematic viscosity, flash point, pour point, and cloud point. Moreover, a stability analysis was carried out based on the Turbiscan Stability Index (TSI) coefficient. Based on the obtained results it was concluded that despite pyrolysis FOs showing some differences in comparison with index FO, none of their properties indicated that pyrolysis FOs should be excluded from possible application in ANFO. Additionally, IR, XRD, and SEM analyses were conducted for all ANFO samples. The instrumental analysis did not show any dribbling effect. The blasting tests such as velocity of detonation (VOD), the heat of explosion, and post-blast fumes revealed that VOD values were lower in comparison to the reference ANFO sample. However, the observed differences were either negligible (heat of explosion) or small enough (VOD) to conclude that polyolefin waste-derived pyrolysis fuel oils can be applied as ANFO’s fuel component.

The paper presents results of research concerning a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly method of utilization of the nitrocellulose powders extracted from expired ammunition. The powders are applied as an aluminum substitute in emulsion explosives. Results of selected detonation parameters for prepared compositions of explosive materials with the nitrocellulose powders are presented. For comparative purposes, the paper also presents analogous results for conventional emulsion explosives, which contain aluminum as an energetic factor.

The article presents a method of evaluating pyrotechnic compositions producing an acoustic effect. The aforementioned pyrotechnic compositions are used in firecrackers to simulate a cannon shot. Optimum compositions that were selected (Part I Evaluation of the applicability of mathematical models in developing pyrotechnic compositions producing an acoustic effect) for testing were evaluated for their explosive and physicochemical properties. The following methods were used to evaluate suitability: measurement of the sound intensity level, the burning rate, and sensitivity to mechanical stimuli—friction and flash fire temperature. In addition, a test concerning the change in the properties of pyrotechnic compositions during storage was also performed.