Other Names
Belgium, France - Nitrate d'ammoniaque
Germany - Ammoniumnitrat; Ammonnitrat; Ammonsaltpeter
Hungary - Ammoniumnitrát; Ammonsalétrom
Italy - Nitrato ammonico; Nitrato d'ammonio
Japan - Ammonum Shosasen
Poland - Saletra amonowa
Russia - Ammoniinaya Selitra; Azotnokislyi ammonii
Spain - Nitrato amónico
Sweden - Ammoniumnitrat
Switzerland - Ammonnitrat
Use
Ammonium Nitrate is one of the most widely used components of explosives, both in commercial and military types. It is also used universally as a nitrogenous fertilizer. When used as a fertilizer, it does not have to meet the standard of purity (99%) required by its use as an explosive.
Because of its insensitivity, Ammonium Nitrate is seldom used alone. It is commonly used as an explosive extender in such mixtures as Amatol and Ammonal; in blasting, cratering and demolition explosives such as Ammonite; and in some solid "composite propellants".
Source(s)
TM 9-1300-214, Military Explosives (w/C4, 1990)
FSTC 381-5042, Handbook of Foreign Explosives (1965)
