Application and Properties of Nano‐sized RDX in CMDB Propellant with Low Solid Content

Abstract

Composite modified double‐base (CMDB) propellant, benefitting from the outstanding performances of high energy and low signature, has attracted increasing focus in the past decade. To improve the integrative performance, such as enhancing the mechanical property and decreasing the sensitivity, CMDB propellant with low solid content containing nano‐sized RDX has been prepared. The microstructure, mechanical properties, sensitivity and combustion performance of the prepared propellant are studied. Results have shown that the interface of the CMDB propellant contained nano‐sized RDX (N‐CMDB) is more compact and the internal defects are less than those of the CMDB propellant with micro‐sized RDX (M‐CMDB). Compared with the maximum tensile strength (σm) and the corresponding elongation at maximum tensile strength (ϵm) of M‐CMDB, the σm values of N‐CMDB are improved by 37.4 % at +50 °C, 27.5 % at +20 °C and 26.7 % at −40 °C, and the ϵm values are increased by 16.1 %, 19.4 % and 39.6 %, separately. Moreover, the friction and impact sensitivities of N‐CMDB propellant are decreased by 51.3 % and 50.4 %, respectively. In the range of 8–18 MPa, the combustion performance of N‐MCDB propellant has been demonstrated more attractive with higher burning rate coefficient (8.692→10.950) and lower pressure exponent (0.384→0.299). All these results lead us to believe that the usage of nano‐sized explosives will contribute to improve the comprehensive performance of CMDB propellants and promote their application in weapon system.

Application of Nano‐Sized RDX in CMDB Propellant with High Solid Content

“…The σ m and ϵ m for CMDB propellants are listed in Table 2, and the detailed data and calculation process are described in our previous work [29]. Precisely, the value of σ m and ϵ m for M‐CMDB propellant at 323.15 K are 1.32 MPa and 17.34 %, in comparison, the value of σ m and ϵ m for N‐CMDB propellant are 1.75 MPa and 21.72 %, which are increased by 32.6 % and 25.2 %, respectively.…”

“…In the previous work, we applied nano-RDX to the CMDB propellant with low solid content for the first time and prepared the CMDB propellant with low solid content, which containing 10 % nano-RDX [29]. A key attribute of this work is that nanoscale nitroamine explosives with regular shape and narrow size distribution have been mass-produced using wet ball mills [30,31].…”

Porous Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine with Reduced Sensitivity Prepared by a Solvation–Desolvation Method

“…Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) is a high explosive widely used in initiator, rockets, and warheads because of its balance of power and sensitivity. , Like other high explosives, the particle size and porosity have significant effects on the sensitivity and performance of RDX. For example, compared to the composite modified double-base propellant with microsized RDX (M-CMDB), those with nanosized RDX (N-CMDB) have friction and impact sensitivities decreased by 51.3% and 50.4%, respectively . In the range of 8–18 MPa, the N-CMDB has demonstrated a more attractive combustion performance with higher burning rate coefficient (8.692 → 10.950) and lower pressure exponent (0.384 → 0.299) .…”

Preparation and characterization of RDX based composite energetic materials with a cellulose matrix

“…Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) is one of the most widely used high‐energy explosives in weapon warheads, propellants, and boosters 1–5 . However, RDX cannot be used alone because of the presence of crystal defects, and due to its high impact and friction sensitivity.…”