Emulsions can be used in water.

• A. False
• B. True
• C. Only in dry conditions
• D. Not recommended

Answer: (B)

Emulsions are mixtures where tiny droplets of one liquid are dispersed in another, stabilized by an emulsifier so the two liquids don’t separate. In blasting, emulsions are typically water-in-oil formulations, meaning water droplets containing oxidizer are dispersed inside a continuous fuel-rich oil phase. This setup is specifically designed to tolerate and even operate in wet conditions. The water phase is part of the explosive’s chemistry, not a contaminant, so the material can be pumped into boreholes that are damp or underwater and still perform reliably. So the statement that emulsions can be used in water is true because these formulations are made to function in wet environments, leveraging the water present rather than being hindered by it.