Ammonium perchlorate
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Ammonium perchlorate, NH4NO3, is a strong oxidizing agent, a constituent of explosives and rocket engine#solid fuel systems|solid rocket propellants, and itself an explosive. Explosive characteristicsIt is unusual in that its best explosive performance is at high, not low, porosity.[1] SafetyIn one memorable blast at an ammonium perchlorate factory in 1988, 2 people were killed and 372 injured in Henderson, Nevada when approximately 4000 tons detonated. The intensity was compounded by a high-pressure natural gas line running under the poorly chosen factory site.[2] Rocket enginesThe Space Shuttle solid rocket boosters use a mixture of aluminium perchlorate, aluminium powder and an iron oxide catalyst in a rubberized binder. References
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