ammonium nitrate

ammonium nitrate

ammonium nitrate, chemical compound, NH₄NO₃, that exists as colorless, rhombohedral crystals at room temperature but changes to monoclinic crystals when heated above 32℃. It is extremely soluble in water and soluble in alcohol and liquid ammonia. It is prepared commercially by reaction of nitric acid and ammonia. Major uses are in fertilizers and explosives. For fertilizers it is in the form of small clay-coated pellets. For explosives it is sometimes mixed with other substances, e.g., TNT, so that it is more easily detonated. It is also used in solid-fuel rocket propellants, in pyrotechnics, and in the production of nitrous oxide.

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The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Ammonium Nitrate

 

(NH₄NO₃) the ammonium salt of nitric acid. Colorless, hygroscopic crystals. Ammonium nitrate is a strong oxidizing agent; when dry, it is exploded by detonators. Three brands, A, B, and V, are produced in the USSR. Brands A and B are used in industry in explosive mixtures (ammonites). Brand V is the most widely used nitrogen fertilizer in the USSR; it is effective, containing about 35 percent nitrogen, and exhibits physiological acidity. Various conditioning additives are added to brand V to decrease its hygroscopicity and caking tendency. Ammonium nitrate is used for all crops and in all types of soils as the main fertilizer and as a supplement.

The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

ammonium nitrate

[ə′mōn·yəm ′nī‚trāt]

(inorganic chemistry)

NH₄NO₃ A colorless crystalline salt; very insensitive and stable high explosive; also used as a fertilizer.

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific & Technical Terms, 6E, Copyright © 2003 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.