
2.33     AMMONIUM NITRATE



     Ammonium nitrate is a very powerful but insensitive high-order

explosive.  It could be made very easily by pouring nitric acid into a large

flask in an ice bath.  Then, by simply pouring household ammonia into the flask

and running away, ammonium nitrate would be formed.  After the materials have

stopped reacting, one would simply have to leave the solution in a warm place

until all of the water and any unneutralized ammonia or acid have evaporated.

There would be a fine powder formed, which would be ammonium nitrate.  It must

be kept in an airtight container, because of its tendency to pick up water from

the air.  The crystals formed in the above process would have to be heated VERY

gently to drive off the remaining water.

