Definition - What does Blasting Agent mean?
A blasting agent is a substance or mixture made up of fuel and an oxidizer that is utilized for blasting purposes. It is not, however, classified as an explosive, as some of its ingredients are explosives. When confined, it should not be able to be detonated with a No.8 blasting cap. An example of a blasting agent is the combination of ammonium nitrate with fuel oil and coal.
Safeopedia explains Blasting Agent
Blasting agents consist of very insensitive explosives. While they do have a mass explosion hazard, the risk of such an explosion occurring is negligible. This is because the the blasting agent contains only small amounts of detonating substances. The key difference between an explosive and a blasting agent lies with their sensitivity to initiation. In contrast to explosives, blasting agents are not cap sensitive. They, therefore, need a primer to be ignited.