Ammonium Nitrate (NH₄NO₃) is a high-efficiency nitrogen fertilizer containing nitrogen in both ammoniacal (NH₄⁺) and nitrate (NO₃⁻) forms. This dual availability enables rapid nutrient uptake and sustained nitrogen release, making it highly effective for a wide range of crops. Ammonium nitrate is valued for fast action, predictable performance, and versatility in agricultural and controlled industrial applications.
Chemical Composition
| Component | Content |
|---|---|
| Total Nitrogen | 33–35% |
| Ammoniacal Nitrogen (NH₄⁺) | ~17% |
| Nitrate Nitrogen (NO₃⁻) | ~16–18% |
| Hydrogen (H) | ~5% |
| Oxygen (O) | ~60% |
| Molecular Weight | 80.04 g/mol |
| Chemical Formula | NH₄NO₃ |
✔ Dual nitrogen forms
✔ Rapid and efficient nutrient uptake
Key Physical Properties
| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | White crystalline solid |
| Physical Form | Prills / Granules |
| Bulk Density | 720–860 kg/m³ |
| True Density | ~1.72 g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 169.6 °C |
| Decomposition Temperature | >210 °C |
| Solubility in Water | Very high |
| Hygroscopicity | High |
| pH (aqueous solution) | ~5.5–6.5 |
| Crystal Phase Changes | Multiple (temperature-dependent) |
📌 Highly water-soluble
📌 Sensitive to moisture and temperature
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Typical Behavior |
|---|---|
| Hardness | Moderate |
| Crush Strength | Medium |
| Abrasion Resistance | Moderate |
| Flowability | Good (treated granules) |
| Caking Tendency | High (untreated) |
| Dust Formation | Moderate |
⚠ Coatings and conditioners are essential for safe handling
⚠ Mechanical integrity affects storage safety
Refining & Processing
Ammonium nitrate is produced by neutralizing ammonia with nitric acid, followed by concentration and solidification.
Process Steps
Neutralization (NH₃ + HNO₃)
Concentration
Prilling or granulation
Conditioning & coating
Quality and safety testing
📌 Closely integrated with ammonia and nitric acid plants
📌 Safety engineering is critical at every stage
Available Forms
Fertilizer-grade ammonium nitrate
Calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN)
Low-density porous AN (regulated industrial use)
Technical / industrial grade
AN-based blended fertilizers
⚠ Availability governed by national regulations
Applications
Agriculture: Top-dressing fertilizer, high-value crops, blended NPKs
Industrial & Chemical: Oxidising agent (controlled processes), specialty chemicals
Environmental: Wastewater treatment, emission-control formulations
Advantages
✔ Fast nitrogen availability
✔ Dual nitrogen form improves efficiency
✔ Lower volatilization loss than urea
✔ Performs well in cool climates
✔ High crop nutrient response
Ammonium Nitrate vs Other Nitrogen Fertilizers
| Feature | Ammonium Nitrate | Urea | Ammonium Sulfate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrogen % | 33–35% | 46% | 21% |
| Speed of Action | Very Fast | Fast | Moderate |
| Volatilization Loss | Low | High | Low |
| Hygroscopicity | High | Moderate | Low |
| Regulation Level | Very High | Moderate | Low |
Ammonium nitrate is a fast-acting, high-efficiency nitrogen compound critical to fertilizer and specialty chemical sectors, delivering superior nitrogen response with reduced volatilization losses, while requiring strict safety, storage, and regulatory compliance.