Blasting cap

Blasting Cap

A blasting cap is a small sensitive device that is used to detonate a larger, more stable main charge. Blasting caps come in a variety of types, including electric types and non-electric types. They are used in a wide range of applications, from construction and demolition to mining and military use.

History

The first blasting cap was invented in 1745 by English engineer William Watson. Watson's device used a small amount of black powder to ignite a larger charge. This basic design has been refined and improved over the centuries, but the basic principle remains the same.

Design and Function

A blasting cap contains a small amount of highly sensitive primary explosive. When this primary explosive is detonated, it releases a shock wave that triggers the detonation of the main charge. The main charge is typically a less sensitive secondary explosive, such as TNT, C-4, or ammonium nitrate.

Types of Blasting Caps

There are several types of blasting caps, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The two main types are electric blasting caps and non-electric blasting caps.

Electric Blasting Caps

Electric blasting caps are detonated by an electric current. The current heats a bridge wire or a thin film inside the cap, which ignites the primary explosive. Electric blasting caps are reliable and easy to use, but they can be accidentally detonated by stray electrical currents or radio waves.

Non-Electric Blasting Caps

Non-electric blasting caps are detonated by a shock tube, a small-diameter plastic tube filled with a small amount of explosive material. When the shock tube is ignited, it sends a shock wave down the tube to the blasting cap. Non-electric blasting caps are safer to handle than electric blasting caps, but they are more expensive and less versatile.

Safety and Handling

Blasting caps are extremely sensitive and must be handled with care. They should never be handled by untrained individuals. Accidental detonation can result in serious injury or death.

See Also

• Explosive material
• Detonator
• Demolition