Industry — 04 of N

MINING EXPLOSIVES

EXPLORAX supplies sensitizing and emulsification chemistry to licensed emulsion explosives manufacturers serving surface and underground mining, quarrying, and civil blasting operations — supporting the density control, stability, and consistency their formulations depend on.

Licensed Supply Only
Products supplied to regulated explosives manufacturers
Batch-Certified
Full COA & technical datasheet with every shipment
Global Compliance
Packaged & documented per regional transport regulation
OVERVIEW

Two ingredients, one stable matrix

Modern emulsion explosives rely on a water-in-oil emulsion matrix that must stay chemically stable across storage, transport, and temperature variation, while remaining reliably sensitized for the manufacturer's detonation performance specification.

EXPLORAX Mining Explosives supplies the two ends of that formulation challenge: Hollow Glass Microspheres K-15, used by manufacturers to control density and sensitization, and Sorbitan Monooleate, the primary emulsifier that keeps the oil and oxidizer-solution phases from separating. Both are supplied exclusively to licensed explosives manufacturers with full technical documentation.

WHAT MANUFACTURERS NEED FROM US

Consistent particle/droplet performance — batch-to-batch reliability for predictable formulation behavior

Documented physical properties — density, crush strength, and HLB data on every certificate of analysis

Regulatory-compliant packaging — correctly labeled and documented for licensed handling and transport

Technical support — grade selection and dosage guidance from our applications team

INDUSTRY SNAPSHOT

About Mining Explosives

Bulk emulsion explosives are the dominant blasting technology in modern surface and underground mining, favored over older dry blasting agents for their water resistance, on-site mixing flexibility, and consistent energy release. They're manufactured and loaded on-site by licensed mobile processing units (MPUs) that pump the sensitized emulsion directly into blast holes, minimizing the transport and storage of finished explosive product. Formulation quality — driven by the emulsifier and sensitizer chemistry — directly determines detonation reliability, shelf stability, and the safety margin manufacturers build into every batch.

01
Sensitizing & Density-Control Grade

Hollow Glass Microspheres K-15

K-15 is a low-density grade of hollow soda-lime borosilicate glass microspheres, selected within the explosives industry for its ability to give manufacturers precise, repeatable control over the density of an emulsion matrix. The entrapped air within each thin-walled sphere is what manufacturers rely on to hit a target density specification consistently, batch after batch.

Because the microspheres are engineered to a defined crush-strength rating, they retain their structure through the manufacturer's mixing and pumping process rather than collapsing unpredictably — which is what makes density and formulation performance repeatable at production scale.

Type
Hollow soda-lime borosilicate glass spheres
True Density
~0.15 g/cc
Isostatic Crush Strength
~250 psi
Median Particle Size
~65 microns
Packaging
Multi-wall paper bags, moisture-protected
Product Photo — K-15 Microsphere Powder
Product Photo — K-15 Microsphere Powder
01
Repeatable density control

Consistent batch-to-batch density performance.

02
Process-stable crush rating

Engineered strength survives mixing and pumping.

03
Uniform particle sizing

Predictable dispersion through the matrix.

04
Moisture-protected supply

Packaging designed to preserve sphere integrity in storage.

Bulk Emulsion Explosives Packaged / Cartridge Explosives Surface Mining & Quarrying Underground Mining Civil & Construction Blasting
02
Primary Emulsifier — Trade Name Span 80

Sorbitan Monooleate

Sorbitan Monooleate is a low-HLB, oil-soluble emulsifier used by emulsion explosive manufacturers as the primary surfactant holding the water-in-oil emulsion together. It reduces interfacial tension between the aqueous and oil phases, allowing a fine, stable droplet structure to form and hold through storage and transport.

Its low hydrophilic-lipophilic balance makes it particularly suited to water-in-oil systems, and manufacturers typically pair it with mineral oil or wax-based fuel phases to build a matrix that stays stable across the temperature range specified for their product.

Type
Non-ionic sorbitan ester emulsifier
Trade Name
Span 80
HLB Value
~4.3
Appearance
Amber, viscous liquid
Packaging
Drums / IBC, per manufacturer requirement
Sorbitan Monooleate
01
Stable W/O emulsions

Low HLB suited specifically to water-in-oil systems.

02
Wide temperature tolerance

Supports matrix stability across storage conditions.

03
Fine, consistent droplets

Reduces interfacial tension for uniform dispersion.

04
Broad phase compatibility

Works with common mineral oil and wax fuel-phase blends.

Emulsion Explosive Manufacturing Bulk Delivery Truck Formulations Packaged Emulsion Cartridges Cold-Climate Formulations Matrix Stabilization
HOW THEY WORK TOGETHER

One Matrix, Two Roles

Manufacturers typically specify both products into the same emulsion system, where each performs a distinct, complementary function.

01

Sorbitan Monooleate

Forms and holds the water-in-oil emulsion structure — stabilizing the matrix before and during sensitization.

+
02

Glass Microspheres K-15

Sets the target density within that stabilized matrix — giving manufacturers a repeatable, controllable specification.

One Matrix
REGULATORY & HANDLING

Supplied Responsibly

EXPLORAX supplies this industry within a strict regulatory and documentation framework.

01

Licensed Customers Only

These products are supplied exclusively to explosives manufacturers holding valid regional manufacturing and handling licenses. New accounts are subject to credential verification before shipment.

02

Full Documentation

Every shipment includes a Safety Data Sheet, Certificate of Analysis, and transport documentation compliant with applicable regional dangerous-goods regulation.

03

Formulation Stays With the Manufacturer

EXPLORAX supplies raw sensitizing and emulsifying chemistry only. Explosive formulation, sensitization, and manufacturing are performed exclusively by the licensed customer under their own regulatory authority.

// FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can purchase these products? +
These products are supplied exclusively to licensed explosives manufacturers and regulated industrial customers. We verify manufacturing and handling credentials before establishing any new account.
Do you provide formulation guidance for the finished explosive? +
No. EXPLORAX supplies raw sensitizing and emulsifying chemistry with technical datasheets covering our own products' properties. Formulation, sensitization, and manufacture of the finished explosive product remain entirely the responsibility of the licensed manufacturer under their own regulatory authority.
What documentation ships with each order? +
Every shipment includes a Safety Data Sheet (SDS), Certificate of Analysis (COA), and transport documentation compliant with applicable regional dangerous-goods regulations (e.g. ADR, IMDG, DGR).
Are other grades of glass microspheres available besides K-15? +
Yes — EXPLORAX offers a broader hollow glass microsphere range for polymer, composite, and lightweighting applications under our Polymers & Rubber line. K-15 is the grade most commonly specified for explosives-industry density control; other grades are available on request.
Can EXPLORAX support custom packaging or bulk delivery? +
Yes. Packaging format, container size, and delivery scheduling can be arranged to match your production line requirements — speak with our applications team to set this up.

Need Our Services?

Call: +91 97695 93030

Work Hours

Mon – Sat: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM IST

Email Us

support@geoconproducts.com