Performance of Current and New Watervapor Barrier Materials When Used in Bags for Packing Ammonium Nitrate.
Abstract
During the first stage of this investigation (Phase 1), the performance of the multiwall Kraft paper/polyethylene bag currently used to pack and ship ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) was studied. It was found that the 1 1/2 mil polyethylene barrier will provide watervapor protection for only 2-5 days without exceeding the allowable moisture pickup for NH4NO3 (.15% by weight, i.e., till solidification, or caking begins). This period of protection is not considered adequate, since it may reasonably be expected that the NH4NO3 will be in storage at the loading plant for 30-60 days. Since solidification of the NH4NO3 (an ingredient in the manufacture of explosives) is objectionable during processing at loading plants, work was initiated on a second phase (Phase 2) to improve bag performance. All barrier materials and bag constructions tried in Phase 2 were judged to be better than the bag currently used. The Tyvek and all polyethylene bags, two of the materials selected, improved protection of the contents from watervapor to 40 and 22 days, respectively. It should be understood that the performance determined in this report for each of the materials was based on laboratory tests conducted on the watervapor barrier material only, and that a final evaluation of any bag material should be based on actual user tests of the complete bag.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1970
- Accession Number
- ADA309648
Entities
People
- Sylvestro Ruffini
Organizations
- Picatinny Arsenal