These explosives are similar to the straight gelatins except that the main constituent is ammonium nitrate instead of sodium nitrate. Ammonium nitrate is a more active explosive ingredient than sodium nitrate; therefore it can be substituted for nitroglycerin in much larger quantities and still give explosives of high weight strength. The nitroglycerin content is usually 25% to 35%, and the ammonium nitrate content ranges from about 30% to 60%. Ammonium nitrate gelignites are characterized by plastic consistency; high densities of 1.5 to 1.6 g/cm₃; medium velocity of detonation of 2,500 m/s; and good fume properties. The ammonium nitrate gelignites are useful all-purpose explosives and are widely used in metal mines, nongassy coal mines, quarries, tunneling, and construction work. Its wide range of strengths enables a suitable grade to be selected for blasting almost every variety of rock from hard to soft.