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How should ammonium perchlorate (AP) be stored safely? The AP at PEPCON was stored in plastic and aluminium containers. I seem to remember that the very material of the storage containers (i.e. aluminium and plastic) contributed to the size of the final explosion, although I do not believe it had much to do with the actual cause of the explosion. Since many metals and plastics such as aluminium and HDPE function as a fuel this kind of makes sense to me.

I can think of many ways of making storage safer: Bunker, inert environment, reduced Temperature, explosion proof installation etc... But how should AP be stored properly? What material should be used for the storage of AP?

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    $\begingroup$ According to the state of New Jersey, "Ammonium Perchlorate is not compatible with STRONG REDUCING AGENTS; STRONG ACIDS (such as HYDROCHLORIC, SULFURIC and NITRIC); METALS (such as ALUMINUM, COPPER, and POTASSIUM); METAL OXIDES; PHOSPHOROUS; and COMBUSTIBLES." $\endgroup$
    – Karsten ♦
    Commented Sep 9, 2022 at 10:23
  • $\begingroup$ @Karsten I would like to see the person who got idea somebody could want to store NH4ClO4 with metallic potassium, to explicitly warn about it. I have wanted to add they could mention phosphorus, but they did. But it goes along the warning for Microwave oven sold in US, not to dry pets inside. $\endgroup$
    – Poutnik
    Commented Sep 9, 2022 at 11:23
  • $\begingroup$ Yet this document does not say what compatible choices of containers are. @Poutnik $\endgroup$
    – Karsten ♦
    Commented Sep 9, 2022 at 16:09
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    $\begingroup$ You can check the MSDS of AP. $\endgroup$
    – Nilay Ghosh
    Commented Sep 10, 2022 at 4:00
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    $\begingroup$ FRP containers might be a good choice at scale. Ones with conducting layers might be even better My work with explosives is limited to TATB, PETN, HMX and RDX and in all cases, its either A) LDPE/HDPE Bags in HDPE Drums or wooden boxes or at scale in these big FRP tanks or Plastic lined tanks. $\endgroup$
    – Pulkit Sharma
    Commented Sep 10, 2022 at 16:08

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