I was at a store the other day and found that the primary ingredient to instant cold packs is nothing other than good ol' ammonium nitrate. I was delighted to see this because I recalled that the other past resource (fertilizer) is no longer available.

I know it's not much, but I plan on buying some quantity of these cold packs, and I want to make some ANFO.

From what I understand, ANFO is ammonium nitrate mixed with diesel oil. I know it can't be as simple as this, so I ask what procedures are necessary to make and safely detonate the ANFO.

Just realized that this is a noob question. Hopefully someone will still help...

The best thing you can do to insure your success and not die... is to research it... There is... SOOOOOO much info out there... google away... find more and more and more info and cross compile it and listen to what seems more scientifically backed and take stuff that seems like shit with a grain of salt.

there is many things you can mix with AN to make it detonate, Fuel Oil is only the most commerical viable one, I think, like for being cheap when you mass produce tons upon tons of it.


Look into nitromethane, it will detonate easier, and with more power, then fuel oil, so you will not need as big a booster charge.

Making ANFO really is that siple, detonating it however, is a considerably difficult feat.

You'll need boosters and a decent cap for any sort of result.

Making ANFO really is that siple, detonating it however, is a considerably difficult feat.

You'll need boosters and a decent cap for any sort of result.

Erythritol tetranitrate (ETN).

It will not require a booster, is easy to make and fairly safe. The best part is: you can make it with your leftover AN and sugar tablets from the supermarket :p

It's become my favorite when it comes to detonation. MUCH safer and effective than AP or HMTD, albeit a little more annoying to make (well, clean the gear :D).

uhhh don't know what the above guy is talking about since ETN is a secondary. anyways like moko said the biggest problem you're going to have is getting a full det. ANFO generally requires a pretty decent sized cap to get a full det... personally i don't think i ever even got full det from ANFO always a partial detonation or a complete waste of chems!

uhhh don't know what the above guy is talking about since ETN is a secondary. anyways like moko said the biggest problem you're going to have is getting a full det. ANFO generally requires a pretty decent sized cap to get a full det... personally i don't think i ever even got full det from ANFO always a partial detonation or a complete waste of chems!

Maybe you consider it a secondary because of its VoD but its as sensitive as PETN itself.

Moderately to shock and goes boom with the touch of a flame ! Now if you think a secondary cannot make another explode because they're both secondaries why don't you go and kill yourself ?

Some explosives stay out of this secondary/primary garbage. After all nitro is a HE but is still sensitive as shit !

wow chill man. maybe i misunderstood but you made it sound as if you were using ETN as the PRIMARY in the cap. i've never had ETN ddt from an open flame. and i don't consider ETN a secondary for it's VoD, i consider it a secondary because it's not nearly as sensitive as primaries like AgNO3.Ag2C2 and organic peroxides and does not DDT from an open flame. ETN and PETN might be sensitive on the secondary scale to shock and friction but from my experience at least are no where NEAR as touchy as said primaries. like i said i could be misunderstanding what you said, did you mean including ETN in the cap charge??

No, i meant using ETN AS the cap.

ETN -CAN- detonate from heat. 170°c if memory serves right.

No, i meant using ETN AS the cap.

ETN -CAN- detonate from heat. 170°c if memory serves right.

I want to call bullshit, since in my blasting cap tests ETN never DDT by itself, regardless of being unpressed/cast/semiconfined etc. Out of 6 attempts i had 2 successful dets and both differed from the other 4(duds) by containg fine thermite comp. as an igniting charge that generated "extremely hot gases with a high thermal capacity and under high pressure. " as per USP#6227116

In conclusion of my test, fuse/BP/KNO+fuel did not cause ETN nor PETN to DDT. I believe that the reason for the success of thermite is described in above mentioned patent:
"Probably the igniting gases essentially consist of vapours from the metals present in the ignition charge. Only these properties seem to secure a qualitative ignition of a secondary explosive."

The only thing i can think of is that my ETN, unlike PETN, was a bit damp, but it responded to impact test with slightly greater sensitivity than PETN.

Please share your secret :) Its hard to believe that you can get dependable, and frequent DDT from ETN without ignition charge or a really hot nichrome setup. I also assumed that EBW are beyond most of the people here.

oh common man, we all have ebw's
http://designcreatology.com/b/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/christmas_lights.png

Lol...

Anyways my ETN (done either via AN/H2SO4 or HNO3/H2SO4) always detonated (well burst in flames that is, never confined it) when put over a lighter flame for a few seconds.

I mean not like "boom it happens" but after 7-8 secs sitting above the flame.

oh common man, we all have ebw's
http://designcreatology.com/b/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/christmas_lights.png

Wait... i see the " ;) " but im going to ask anyways: can you use regular small lightbulbs for exploding bridgewires ? i thought that nichrome wont do, only gold and one other quite expensive material wire are capable of detonating from high current pulse.

In case you ment using these for simple electric ignition then thats not what EBW is :(

Lol...

Anyways my ETN (done either via AN/H2SO4 or HNO3/H2SO4) always detonated (well burst in flames that is, never confined it) when put over a lighter flame for a few seconds.

I mean not like "boom it happens" but after 7-8 secs sitting above the flame.


So i imagine that it sits above the flame, then melts, then starts on fire, then... what? does it just deflagrate or does it actually detonates after 7-8 secs ?

most secondaries have a temperature point at which they detonate. the thing is it's not really viable at all to try to heat to the point of detonation in a cap, if at all, which is why you use a primary (which will undergo deflagration to detonation) to initiate the explosive decomposition in secondaries.

oh common man, we all have ebw's
http://designcreatology.com/b/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/christmas_lights.png

Nah, not some improvised electronic ignition, I dont think you can make EBW out of any light bulbs, unless you know of some made with gold filament ;) Please enlighten me if there is a way.

Lol...

Anyways my ETN (done either via AN/H2SO4 or HNO3/H2SO4) always detonated (well burst in flames that is, never confined it) when put over a lighter flame for a few seconds.

I mean not like "boom it happens" but after 7-8 secs sitting above the flame.

So it melts and deflagrates... doesnt mean that it would DDT if confined :(
It wont, i tried... But it will work if:

a) you mix it in right proportions with fine Al powder (ETN has +OB,) thus creating "ETN flash powder" of sorts, you greatly increase your chances for DDT. Adding KClO4 MIGHT help. Not my idea (showthread.php?t=5675 on roguesci) But seems plausible. Such composition made into oversized cap (m80 tube) with a couple of grams of pressed ETN booster inside the tube (either end) would detonate ANFO if the ETN trully DDT. Sounds like something to try tonight.

b) You use thermite ignition charge like I mentioned above (patent 6227116)

c) ...EBW detonator...

I might be wrong, and i would be glad to hear that ETN will DDT by itself if confied :)

most secondaries have a temperature point at which they detonate. the thing is it's not really viable at all to try to heat to the point of detonation in a cap, if at all, which is why you use a primary (which will undergo deflagration to detonation) to initiate the explosive decomposition in secondaries.

Oh its very viable, dont knock it untill you try it. references above. We all know how much we hate primary explosives, the cheap ones are shitty (AP) and the good ones are expensive (AgN3), and they are all dangerous. Fuck primaries.


BTW why does a moderator need to approve my post ?!WTF!?

Don't talk out your ass. ETN is not flame sensitive in the sense that it will not DDT in a cap. There is a synth that uses ETN and H2SO4 to make a flame sensitive primary. Erythritite or something, it's been a while.
I did once get ETN to detonate when mixed up like smoke mix but this was probably a result of thermal shock.

So would I be right in thinking that a small BP charge could be used to det ETN, with the ETN detonating the AN?

So would I be right in thinking that a small BP charge could be used to det ETN, with the ETN detonating the AN?

Provided you pack your BP enough :)

oh common man, we all have ebw's
http://designcreatology.com/b/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/christmas_lights.png
?? I know you can make electric igniters out of these but EBWs? please enlighten me, or tell me where you buy bulbs with gold filament.

most secondaries have a temperature point at which they detonate. the thing is it's not really viable at all to try to heat to the point of detonation in a cap, if at all, which is why you use a primary (which will undergo deflagration to detonation) to initiate the explosive decomposition in secondaries.

Quite contrary, its quite viable, look up a patent titled "pyrotechnical charge for detonators", where they have 100% success with thermite mixture detonating PETN. I bet that ETN could be more prone to detonation in such scenario. The whole point is to eliminate the need for sensitive primary explosives.

So would I be right in thinking that a small BP charge could be used to det ETN, with the ETN detonating the AN?

I doubt it. I know NG was originally detonated using BP blasting caps, and considering the similarities between NG and ETN it seems feasible, however ime using flash powder (in a deep bottle cap) as a detonator i only got about 20% success initiating ETN and PETN. I would think 70:30 KClO4/3micron AL would be a great deal more powerful than BP.

Don't talk out your ass. ETN is not flame sensitive in the sense that it will not DDT in a cap. There is a synth that uses ETN and H2SO4 to make a flame sensitive primary. Erythritite or something, it's been a while.
I did once get ETN to detonate when mixed up like smoke mix but this was probably a result of thermal shock.

QFT. If you do come across that info on Erythritite please post a link as it is very interesting subject. Not quite fit for this thread but im sure there is a place for that here somewhere.

oh common man, we all have ebw's
http://designcreatology.com/b/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/christmas_lights.png
?? I know you can make electric igniters out of these but EBWs? please enlighten me, or tell me where you buy bulbs with gold filament.

most secondaries have a temperature point at which they detonate. the thing is it's not really viable at all to try to heat to the point of detonation in a cap, if at all, which is why you use a primary (which will undergo deflagration to detonation) to initiate the explosive decomposition in secondaries.

Quite contrary, its quite viable, look up a patent titled "pyrotechnical charge for detonators", where they have 100% success with thermite mixture detonating PETN. I bet that ETN could be more prone to detonation in such scenario. The whole point is to eliminate the need for sensitive primary explosives.

So would I be right in thinking that a small BP charge could be used to det ETN, with the ETN detonating the AN?

I doubt it. I know NG was originally detonated using BP blasting caps, and considering the similarities between NG and ETN it seems feasible, however ime using flash powder (in a deep bottle cap) as a detonator i only got about 20% success initiating ETN and PETN. I would think 70:30 KClO4/3micron AL would be a great deal more powerful than BP.

Don't talk out your ass. ETN is not flame sensitive in the sense that it will not DDT in a cap. There is a synth that uses ETN and H2SO4 to make a flame sensitive primary. Erythritite or something, it's been a while.
I did once get ETN to detonate when mixed up like smoke mix but this was probably a result of thermal shock.

QFT. If you do come across that info on Erythritite please post a link as it is very interesting subject. Not quite fit for this thread but im sure there is a place for that here somewhere.

do you have a diagram of what the charge would look like? i'm definitely not reading through the 60 pages the patent lol.

do you have a diagram of what the charge would look like? i'm definitely not reading through the 60 pages the patent lol.

On the very last page of the patent they have 4 examples of the construction. Its quite simple, just like a compound detonator, it has thermite mix instead of primary and PETN pressed in the bottom. Thermite mix might not be fuse sensitive so appropriate ignition charge is placed on top of it. PETN can be pressed on the very bottom, then loosley packed immediatley before thermite charge, then some fuse sensitive hot burning ignition charge such as KNO3+sugar.

. Thermite mix might not be fuse sensitive so appropriate ignition charge is placed on top of it. PETN can be pressed on the very bottom, then loosley packed immediatley before thermite charge, then some fuse sensitive hot burning ignition charge such as KNO3+sugar.

KNO3+sugar doesnt detonate thermite, the easiest way to ignite thermite is a magnesiumn ribbon.

Using thermite at a detonator for ANFO is a smart idea though, never thought of it.

KNO3+sugar doesnt detonate thermite, the easiest way to ignite thermite is a magnesiumn ribbon.

Using thermite at a detonator for ANFO is a smart idea though, never thought of it.

The first flaw is that the heat from the thermite will ignite the gasoline BEFORE setting off the AN.

The second flaw is that even if you got it to detonated, you would get a half-assed detonation because the container would be half-melted.

And last but not least, the heat may and WILL also blow off the gasoline fumes, dispersing the AN.

The first flaw is that the heat from the thermite will ignite the gasoline BEFORE setting off the AN.

Gasoline? thats the flaw if anything... there is a reason why people use diesel. Besidesthey used a really small quantity of thermite, that was confined, and the time from ignition to the time of detonation was under 2 seconds... how is that going to ignite diesel or melt the container? lulz it isn't a clay pot filled with granulated thermite to the brim.


The second flaw is that even if you got it to detonated, you would get a half-assed detonation because the container would be half-melted.

Not really.


And last but not least, the heat may and WILL also blow off the gasoline fumes, dispersing the AN.
Because professionals keep their ANFO mixed and sitting at the site for any significant ammount of time before detonation... not to mention the use of GASOLINE...

KNO3+sugar doesnt detonate thermite, the easiest way to ignite thermite is a magnesiumn ribbon.

Using thermite at a detonator for ANFO is a smart idea though, never thought of it.

Well first of, thermite doesnt detonate from anything, it just burns providing enough heat and pressure to initiate PETN, which in turn sets off ANFO.