Ammonium nitrate undergoes volume expansion and contraction as it passes through its crystal transition temperatures, causing prills and granules to break down into fine particles or dust. The effect of various chemical additives on the physical breakdown at the transition temperatures has been studied. A mixture of boric acid, diammonium phosphate, and ammonium sulfate was found to be the most effective for stabilizing ammonium nitrate against physical breakdown as ammonium nitrate cycles through its transition temperatures. A commercially proved process has been developed for producing greatly improved granular and prilled ammonium nitrate, and mixed fertilizers containing ammonium nitrate.
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