# Explosives and propellants

Chemical stores built to release energy very fast, for mining and rockets.

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_propellants/

Storage · Chemical · No. 91

- Storage
- Duration: Long-term
 Storage · Chemical · Foundation · Energy

Kilogram for kilogram, TNT holds about 29 times less energy than hydrogen; explosives win on speed, not size.

Chart: Illustration: Explosives and propellants

##### Where it comes from

Chart: Map of where it comes from

Explosives and solid propellants mix fuel and oxidiser in one material, built to release energy by detonation or rapid burning.

##### Three things to know

1. Explosives carry their own oxidiser, so they can release energy without any air at all.
2. Mining copper, lithium and nickel for the energy transition depends on blasting, which earns Orica 86% of its revenue.
3. NASA's new launch-pad hydrogen sphere holds 4,732 m3 and loses at most 0.048% a day to boil-off.

##### The journey

1. 1 **Raw chemicals**Ammonia-based ammonium nitrate, fuels, oxidisers
2. 2 **Manufacture**Explosives and propellants with built-in oxidiser
3. 3 **Licensed storage**Magazines, tanks and separation distances
4. 4 **Release**Detonation in microseconds, or rapid burning
5. 5 **Work done**Rock broken in mines, rockets lifted

##### Go deeper pick a tab to open it in full

## Other sections

- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_propellants/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_propellants/correlation/index.md)
- [Science and technology](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_propellants/sg-sci/index.md)
- [Engineering and performance](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_propellants/sg-eng/index.md)
- [Economics](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_propellants/sg-econ/index.md)
- [Impact and additionality](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_propellants/sg-impact/index.md)
- [What to track](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_propellants/tracking/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_propellants/links/index.md)