Development of a Marking Composition Based on Nanoaluminum and Iron Ore Concentrate for Mixed Explosives and Their Subsequent Identification

In this article, an experimental study of the methods for forming a marking composition based on nanoaluminum and iron ore concentrate for use as marking additives in mixed explosives was considered. The prepared marking composition consists of nanoaluminium - 95%, iron ore concentrate - 5%,  and according to X-ray spectral analysis the intense peaks of aluminum (97.62%), iron (0.89%), calcium (0.64%), manganese (0.05%), chromium (0.009%), titanium (0.01%), sulfur (0.78%) are visible. Two methods of introducing a marking composition based on nanoaluminium and iron ore concentrate into the composition of the explosive “Granulite M” were studied. The marking of mixed explosives with a powdered fine marking composition by the first method, in amounts sufficient for uniform distribution in the composition of the explosive (at least 2%), leads to a change in the formulation composition. When using the second method, instantaneous precipitation of particles of nanoaluminum and iron ore concentrate was observed. In industrial conditions, this will lead to the need for a device for mechanical mixing of containers with liquid petroleum products. Thus when using finely dispersed metals and their alloys for marking of mixed explosives, it is fundamentally possible, provided they are introduced into explosive compositions through a liquid combustible component with constant stirring for uniform distribution. It is expedient to identify explosives marked in this way by X-ray spectral analysis by the presence of certain metal markers, and the remains of fragments at the site of the explosion - by the presence of oxides of marker metals.