| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | A blast near Delhi's Red Fort has spotlighted Ammonium Nitrate. |
| About | Ammonium Nitrate (NH₄NO₃) is a white, crystalline, water-soluble, nitrogen-rich compound made by reacting ammonia with nitric acid. Melts at 170°C. Classified as an oxidising agent and a base ingredient in commercial explosives. It is a dual-use substance with legitimate industrial uses and potential for weaponization. |
| Agricultural Use | Widely used as a nitrogen fertilizer due to its high nutrient content. |
| Industrial Use | Used in controlled blasting in quarries, excavation projects, and as a component in mining-grade explosives. |
| Weaponization | Pure ammonium nitrate is not explosive by itself but becomes volatile when combined with fuel oil, potassium chlorate, sulphur, or other accelerants, forming ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil). ANFO requires a trigger like a detonator (e.g., RDX or TNT) to explode. |
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