Production and Sensitivity Evaluation of Nanocrystalline RDX‐based Explosive Compositions

Abstract

The initiation sensitivity of cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) was investigated as a function of crystal size. For this study, RDX powders with mean crystal sizes of ca. 200 and 500 nm were prepared by rapid expansion of supercritical solutions (RESS) with carbon dioxide as the solvent. Initiation sensitivity testing to impact, sustained shock, and electrostatic discharge stimuli was performed on uncoated as well as wax-coated specimens. The test data revealed that in a direct comparison to coarser grades the nanocrystalline RDX-based samples were substantially less sensitive to shock and impact stimuli. Furthermore, the 500 nm RDX-based specimens exhibited the lowest sensitivity values, an indication that minima in shock and impact sensitivities with respect to crystal size exist.

Nanocrystallisation of Ammonium DiNitramide (ADN) by Spray Flash Evaporation (SFE)

“…For nano-ADN recrystallized in ethyl acetate, sensitivity behavior follows the trend observed by Bayat et al on CL-20 [19] and Stepanov et al on RDX [20]. Indeed, nano-ADN is less sensitive to impact with a value measured at 4.5 J but is more sensitive to ESD with a value of 996 mJ ( Table 3).…”

Investigation of the crystallization of RDX during spray drying

“…However, this trend appears to reverse at sizes in the sub-micron regime. It was recently observed that cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX) crystals with an average size of 500 nm demonstrated the least shock sensitivity and impact sensitivity compared to both larger and smaller RDX crystals [21]. There seems to be an optimal crystal size of RDX, in the range of hundreds of nanometers, for achieving the lowest sensitivity.…”

“…Reducing the size of voids, often achieved through decreasing the crystal size of the HE crystals [20,21], can lower the sensitivity of explosives. Initiation sensitivity of explosives has been observed to decrease as crystal size is reduced, particularly when the size of crystals is above micrometers [22][23][24][25].…”

Polymeric Stabilization of Nano‐Scale HMX Suspensions During Wet Milling

“…Finally, a milling study was carried out to investigate the impact of the solvent and PVP addition on the HMX particle size. This work may have a significant impact toward the production of large quantities of nanoHMX that can be used to reduce the critical diameter and increase the mechanical strength of energetic formulations [18][19][20].…”