CASTABLE HEAT RESISTANT EXPLOSIVE COMPOSITIONS CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING 500 DEG F AND HIGHER
Abstract
In an attempt to develop a castable explosive resistant to temperatures of 500 deg F or higher, TACOT, TATB, DATB, and in a few cases, TNC were combined with a variety of binder types. These included epoxies, polyesters, vinyls, plastisols, silicone rubbers and various combinations. The silicones were the most promising in respect to heat resistance. However, their high viscosity required the use of diluents which introduced curing difficulties, and their unfavorable decomposition thermodynamics affected detonation characteristics adversely. Epoxies and polyesters at relatively low temperatures exhibited exotherms which were in some cases sufficient to ignite the explosive fillers well below their autoignition points. Plastisols and vinyls were less heat stable than silicons, with stability in the case of unsaturated compounds reduced still further by inclusion of peroxide curatives and paraffin used to exclude air in curing. Explosive fillers, in particular TATB, were difficult to incorporate to high solids loadings because of their fine particle size. Insolubility of both TATB and TACOT in common recrystallizing solvents made size modification difficult or impossible. TACOT was superior in respect to autoignition characteristics, with decomposition in the neighborhood of 350 deg C.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0389721
Entities
People
- Barbara A. Stott
Organizations
- Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake