
3.32      AMMONIUM NITRATE



     Ammonium nitrate could be made by a terrorist according to the hap-

hazard method in section 2.33, or it could be stolen from a construction site,

since it is usually used in blasting, because it is very stable and insensitive

to shock and heat.  A terrorist could also buy several Instant Cold-Paks from a

drug store or medical supply store.  The major disadvantage with ammonium

nitrate, from a terrorist's point of view, would be detonating it.  A rather

powerful priming charge must be used, and usually with a booster charge.  The

diagram below will explain.



          _________________________________________

          |       |                                   |

  ________|       |                               |

     |        | T.N.T.|     ammonium nitrate          |

     |primer |booster|                              |

     |_______|       |                              |

          |       |                                   |

          |_______|_______________________________|







     The primer explodes, detonating the T.N.T., which detonates, sending

a tremendous shockwave through the ammonium nitrate, detonating it.





3.33     ANFOS



     ANFO is an acronym for Ammonium Nitrate - Fuel Oil Solution.  An ANFO

solves the only other major problem with ammonium nitrate: its tendency to pick

up water vapor from the air.  This results in the explosive failing to detonate

when such an attempt is made.  This is rectified by mixing 94% (by weight)

ammonium nitrate with 6% fuel oil, or kerosene.  The kerosene keeps the ammonium


nitrate from absorbing moisture from the air.  An ANFO also requires a large

shockwave to set it off.

