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This paper reviews the research and development work on CL-20, the most powerful high-energy material of today, as well as CL-20-based formulations. Methods of CL-20 synthesis and processes for obtaining a desired particle size are discussed. Particular attention is paid to optimization of conditions for obtaining the most stable high-density polymorph. The Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction appear to be effective means for distinguishing CL-20 polymorphs. The thermal decomposition pattern of CL-20 as well as the proposed decomposition and combustion mechanisms also form part of this manuscript. Investigations performed by various researchers show that its relatively high sensitivity needs special attention from the viewpoint of CL-20 preparation and processing of formulations based on this substance. Salient features of CL-20-based explosives and gun/rocket propellants studied are included into this review. CL-20 may be ranked as the most attractive compound for futuristic explosive and propellant formulations. The research activities performed by the authors on synthesis and characterization of CL-20 are briefly described.

This paper reviews the current status and future trends of aluminized explosives. The major focus is on cast compositions, which encompass both the melt-cast trinitrotoluene (TNT) based and the slurry cast polymer-based compositions. Widely reported RDX and HMX based aluminized compositions with TNT used as a binder are discussed in detail. Various researchers have suggested a 15-20% Al content as an optimum from the viewpoint of velocity of detonation. A higher Al content, however, is incorporated in most of the compositions for a sustained blast effect, due to the potential of secondary reactions of Al with detonation products. The effect of the aluminum particle size on performance parameters (velocity of detonation, etc.) is included. There are some recent works on nanometric Al based compositions, and the results obtained by various researchers suggest mixed trends for RDX-TNT compositions. Studies on nitrotriazol and TNT based compositions bring out their low vulnerability. Some of the interesting findings on ammonium dinitramide and bis(2,2,2-trinitro-ethyl)nitramine (BTNEN) based compositions are also included. The review brings out superiority of polymer based aluminized explosives, as compared to conventional TNT based compositions, particularly, with respect to low vulnerability. In general, aluminized plastic bonded explosives find numerous underwater applications. Ammonium perchlorate (AP) is also incorporated, particularly, for enhancing underwater shock wave and bubble energy. Hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene appears to be the binder of choice. However, nitrocellulose, polyethylene glycol, and polycaprolactone polymer based compositions with energetic plasticizers, like bis-dinitropropyl acetal/formal (BDNPA/F, 1/1 mix), trimethylol ethane trinitrate, and triethylene glycol dinitrate are also investigated. Polyethylene glycol and polycaprolactone polymer based compositions are found to be low vulnerable, particularly, in terms of shock sensitivity. Highly insensitive polymer bonded nitrotriazol based compositions are being pursued all over the globe. The highly insensitive CL-20/AP combination meets the demands of high density and high velocity of detonation. Glycidyl azide polymer and poly nitratomethyl methyl oxetane appear to be binders of interest for plastic bonded explosives in view of their superior energetics. The vulnerability aspects of these compositions, however, need to be studied in detail. Brief information on plastic bonded and gelled thermobaric explosives is also included.

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Research and development efforts for realizing higher performance levels of high energy materials (HEMs) are continued unabated all over the globe. Of late, it is becoming increasingly necessary to ensure that such materials are also eco-friendly. This has provided thrust to research in the area of force multiplying HEMs and compounds free from pollution causing components. Enhancement of the performance necessitates introduction of strained structure or increase in oxygen balance to achieve near stoichiometry. The search for environment friendly molecules is focused on chlorine free propellant compositions and lead free primary explosives. Energetic polymers offer added advantage of partitioning of energy and thus not necessitating the concentration of only solid components (HEMs and metal fuels) in the formulations, to achieve higher performance, thereby leading to improvement in energetics without adversely affecting the processability and mechanical properties. During recent times, research in the area of insensitive explosives has received impetus particularly with the signature of STANAG. This paper gives a review of the all-round advances in the areas of HEMs encompassing oxidizers, high-energy dense materials, insensitive high-energy materials, polymers and plasticizers. Selected formulations based on these materials are also included.