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'AN Wax' is an explosive composition that consists of Ammonium Nitrate, floor wax, and sometimes aluminum powder. Compared to TNT, it is not very powerful as far as brisance and is rated at .08 TNT equivelence. It is similar to ANFO but easier to detonate. Ammonium Nitrate is very hygroscopic(meaning it readily absorbs moisture from the air), which can render it useless as an explosive. However, the addition of wax protects the AN from absorbing water to an extent. It takes a large detonator or even a powerful booster charge to detonate it. The addition of Aluminum powder is known to sensitize the mixture and add blasting power.