Phlegmatized

Phlegmatized

Phlegmatized is a term applied to an explosive that has had an agent added to stabilize or desensitize it. Sometimes this is desirable, to enable handling or to reduce the rate of combustion. Typical phlegmatizing agents include wax, paper, water, and paraffin. These agents are nearly always flammable themselves, or at least boil off easily. Normally, only explosives which may be cast are phlegmatized.

Explosive compounds may exist in material states that limit their application. For instance, nitroglycerin is normally an oily liquid. Phlegmatization of nitroglycerin allows it to be formed as a solid, commonly as dynamite. It also allows the liquid, which is very sensitive to shock, to be handled more vigorously.

See also