What are the uses of explosives?

High explosives have been used in bombs, explosive shells, torpedoes, and missile warheads. Nondetonating explosives, e.g., gunpowder and the smokeless powders, have found extensive use as propellants for bullets and artillery shells. The most important peaceful use of detonating explosives is to break rocks in mining. read more

Explosives continue to have many important peacetime uses in fields like engineering, construction, mining, and quarrying. They propel rockets and space shuttles into orbit. Explosives are also used to bond different metals, like those in United States coins, together in a tight sandwich. read more

Explosive materials are produced in numerous physical forms for their use in mining, engineering, or military applications. The different physical forms and fabrication methods are grouped together in several use forms of explosives. read more

Use of Explosives The Department of Labor (DOL), Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for standards to protect workers in the use of explosives outside of mines. General standards are found in 29 CFR, Part 1910.109 while standards for construction are found in Part 1926 Subpart U. read more