Explosive Performance Modification by Cosolidification of Ammonium Nitrate with Fuels

Abstract

Practical nonideal explosives with performance improved by modifying ideality are shown to be within reach. Materials which might be used are available in quantity at low cost, and processing techniques are ordinary. Performance enhancement was brought about by selecting fuels for an oxygen-rich nonideal explosive (ammonium nitrate) and improving reaction rates through more intimate reactant contact brought about by cosolidification. Explosives systems containing ammonium nitrate cosolidified with ethylenediamine dinitrate, or with nitroguanidine and guanidine nitrate, were studied and are described. In confined small-scale tests, they have better steel denting performance than Amatols, TNT, or Amatex 20. Detonation velocity ranges from 5 to 7 km/sec, depending on proportions and amount of RDX. Handling sensitivity, melting points, hygroscopicity, and compatibility with TNT and RDX appear to be manageable. Long-term stability, casting, scale-up and other engineering factors have not been assessed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 01, 1976
Accession Number
ADA033552

Entities

People

  • I. Akst
  • J. Hershkowitz

Organizations

  • Picatinny Arsenal

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter IED
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Body Weight
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Diffraction
  • Explosions
  • Explosives
  • Heat Energy
  • Material Degradation Processes
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Science
  • Materials Testing
  • Measurement
  • Mixing
  • Munitions

Readers

  • Agricultural Chemistry/Soil Science
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Combustion Dynamics and Shock Wave Physics.