The Effects of Reactor Irradiation on the Chemical Characteristics of Solid Explosives

Abstract

A study was made of TNT, HMX/EXON (9505), DATB, and PETN which had been irradiated in a nuclear reactor to determine chemical changes induced by the irradiation. Chemical changes (stability) were determined by infrared spectrophotometric, x-ray diffraction, and differential thermal analysis of the post-irradiated explosives. In addition, a similar study of nitrocellulose-base propellants was carried out. From the data obtained, the order of decreasing chemical stability under irradiation was DATB, HNX/EXON, TNT, PETN, and the nitrocellulose-base propellants; DATB was found to be the most stable.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1970
Accession Number
AD0701876

Entities

People

  • Charles Ribaudo
  • Harold J. Matsuguma
  • James Mallay

Organizations

  • Picatinny Arsenal

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter IED

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Body Weight
  • Chemical Stability
  • Diffraction
  • Diffraction Analysis
  • Explosives
  • Fast Neutrons
  • Infrared Spectra
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Melting Point
  • Nuclear Reactors
  • Petn
  • Spectra
  • Thermal Analysis
  • Ultraviolet Spectra
  • X Rays
  • X-Ray Diffraction

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Agricultural Chemistry/Soil Science
  • Nuclear and Radiation Engineering.
  • Rocket Propulsion.