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 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.

This paper presents research on the development of pyrotechnic compositions producing an acoustic effect. These types of compositions are used in firecrackers to imitate a cannon shot—they are most frequently used during military exercises. The research was based on a mathematical model of an experiment. For environmental reasons, the replacement of the harmful oxidant Ba(NO₃)₂ by KClO₄ and NH₄ClO₄ was modelled. The compositions were tested for reliability and evaluated in terms of friction sensitivity and burning rate. This allowed for the verification of the effectiveness of the modelling carried out. Optimum compositions were selected for further research.

Global economic development and the associated increase in consumption increase the demand for plastics. The result of these changes is the increase in the share of this group of used plastics in the structure of household waste. An innovative way of managing plastic waste is to use it as a component of a high-energy material. According to the conceptual assumptions, some plastics introduced into the structure of an explosive (Ex) in appropriate amounts can improve the energy parameters of a high-energy material. Modification of the composition of the explosive causes a change in its explosive and operational parameters. It also becomes necessary to develop a method of introducing an additional component. Computer programs for thermodynamic calculations are a tool for modeling the predicted energy parameters of an explosive. The performed simulations and modeling allow for the selection of appropriate compositions for laboratory and “in situ” tests. This reduces the number of field tests performed. This enables the more effective design of new explosive compositions. The use of waste plastics as a corrector of explosive properties may also be pro-environmental in nature through the use of a detonation method of their disposal and will reduce the cost of manufacturing the product. The conducted analyses showed that for three ANFO-type explosives containing 2% polyethylene—PE 2.0, 1% polypropylene—PP 1.0 and 1% polyurethane—PU 1.0, obtained energy parameters similar to ANFO and qualitatively and quantitatively similar structure of post-detonation gases.

The results of the analysis of thermodynamic ANFO explosive material modified with the addition of plastics, is presented. The analysis was made in the ZMWCyw computer program. Changes in the content of the resulting gaseous products depending on the percentage of the selected polymer are presented. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of primary gaseous products resulting from the detonation of modified ANFO compositions was performed.

The decomposition of seven herbicides (atrazine, linuron, lenacil, chloridazon, dinoseb acetate, prometryn, and diuron) was carried out by detonative combustion. The investigated blasting material was produced on the basis of porous ammonium nitrate, which served as an oxidizer, while the pesticides played the role of the fuel. Detonative decomposition of the mixtures was carried out in blast-holes in soil. The efficiency of the decomposition process was assessed using the techniques of gas chromatography, high-efficiency liquid chromatography, and additionally by biological tests according to the grading of the European Weed Research Council. The results demonstrate an efficient decomposition of the tested herbicides. In the tested soil samples taken after the detonation decomposition of the herbicide, no symptoms of phytotoxic effects on the plants were found. This was confirmed by the lack (or at most negligible amounts) of residual herbicides in the soil samples. Only for the samples of chloradizine and diuron were large amounts of residual biologically active substance found.