The Technology is based on a non-detonating propellant compound enclosed in a cartridge, which reacts very quickly when ignited to produce high volumes of gas, mainly consisting of nitrogen, carbon dioxide and steam. When the cartridge is sealed in a drill hole, the high pressure gas generated by the ignition of the propellant enters into the micro-fractures created from the percussive drilling process and into the natural fractures and planes of weakness of the rock, expanding the fractures and propagating cracks towards the nearest free face of the rock. The number of cracks propagated is related to the maximum pressure and peak pressure rate achieved by the expanding gasses within the drill hole. The gas pressure within the drill hole and propagated cracks then causes the fractured rocks to heave apart, producing a shearing of the rock often called splitting.

1) Nxco RBC’s offer the following features:
1.1 Minimal fly rock
1.2 Minimal vibration
1.3 Lower noise and no overpressure levels
1.4 Negligible noxious gases
2) Only local clearance of personnel is required with Nxco RBC’s.
3) Limited downtime of loading and hauling equipment.
4) Safe transport, storage and usage requirements.
5) Nxco’s RBC’s are quick and easy to use with low capital and lightweight equipment.
6) Low cost and starter training requirements.

No, one of the most salient features distinguishing Nxco RBC’s from high explosives are that it deflagrates.

Yes, they are considered a pyrotechnic . The Nxco cartridge is classified as a 1.4 S product under the United Nations hazardous substances classification, in the same category as small arms ammunition. This classification is given to products that do not explode when ignited in their original packaged state and as such the classification defines Nxco RBC’s as a pyrotechnic product for transport and storage purposes.

When an in situ rock splits / breaks up on tensile, the movement of rock causes minimal vibrations to its environment.

Should the rock which breaks be attached to a wall (without a foundation for example), the movements created by breaking are likely to impact upon the wall, which will probably crack. However these are mechanically induced vibrations, not vibrations induced by a shock wave initiated by detonation.

Noise measurements should not be confused with overpressure measurements. Noise measurements are made with standard sound level meters, which record air vibrations falling in the audible frequency region only. There are times when relatively high overpressures are not audible because their frequency is outside the audible frequency region.

Self-stemming cartridges are louder than the stemmed cartridge range.