Changes in the explosive characteristics of gelpor associated with its aging have been studied. The changes consist in the decrease of energy release of "old" gelpor up to 2 times in comparison with "fresh" one. Recommendations on application of gelpor in engineering are given.
The article deals with the issue of the peaceful use of conversion explosives, powders used in mines, shells, torpedoes, aerial bombs, solid and liquid rocket fuel, etc. It does not touch upon other aspects of application of defense industry products in the national economy. Comparisons of the main safety characteristics of blasting operations with the use of conversion explosives: gelpor, granipor and TNT are given. The dependence of the mass fraction of harmful substances in the detonation products of gelpora, granipor and TNT on the temperature at isoentropic expansion is considered.
The results of comparative full-scale tests of industrial explosives: gelpor GP-2, grammonite 79/21 and ammonite No. 6 ZhV are presented. The comparison was carried out according to the parameters of the air shock wave formed during the explosion of similar mass of concentrated charges of gelpor, grammonite and ammonite.
The paper analyzes the use of conversion explosives in the quarry of Kamennogorsk combine of nonmetallic materials. It shows the possibility and efficiency of replacing TNT-containing industrial explosives with conversion powders.