The aluminium component in Minol significantly prolongs the explosive pulse, making it ideal for use in underwater naval weapons (e.g. naval mines, for which it was developed, depth charges and torpedoes) where munitions with a longer explosive pulse are more destructive than those with high brisance.
All percentages shown are by weight: These three Minols suffered from expansion, spewing and gassing due to the reaction of fine aluminium powder with moisture and structural phase transitions in ammonium nitrate.
To improve stability of Minol and increase production, more coarse aluminium powder was introduced.
Later it was found that aluminium chips, such as filings, flakes and shavings, also gave good performance and improved stability.
Minol IV could still expand and develop cracks after prolonged thermal cycling.