See also [Ammonpulver] and [Hebler Powder].
AMMONAL is a blasting explosive containing ammonium nitrate, aluminium powder, charcoal, and generally trinitro-toluene. It was patented in 1900 by G. Roth of Vienna, and the following are some of the compositions made by his firm at Felixdorf in Austria—
| a | b | c | d | |
| Ammonium nitrate | 80·75 | 90 | 88 | 80 |
| Aluminium | 15 | 4 | 8 | 18 |
| Charcoal | 4·25 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
More violent mixtures made by the same firm are—
| I | II | |
| Ammonium nitrate | 46 | 32 |
| Trinitro-toluene | 30 | 50 |
| Aluminium | 22 | 16 |
| Charcoal | 2 | 2 |
and modifications of this have been used largely in the British service. It is not suitable for use in underground workings as it forms on explosion the poisonous gas carbon monoxide, unless the proportion of ammonium nitrate be large. It has been used for charging grenades, and by the Austrians for trench howitzer bombs.
When the explosive is detonated, the aluminium is converted into the oxide, evolving no gas, but a considerable amount of heat, which increases the power of the explosive. The aluminium powder also renders the explosive easier to detonate.
Three explosives of this type passed the Woolwich Test, and were on the old Permitted List for coal mines, namely, Ammonal B, Ripping Ammonal and Saint Helen’s Powder (q. v.).
Ammonal B. | Ripping Ammonal. | |
| Ammonium nitrate | 94·5 | 86 |
| Aluminium | 3 | 8 |
| Charcoal | 2·5 | 2·5 |
| Potassium bichromate | — | 3·5 |
No explosives containing aluminium are on the present Permitted List.