Proton Relaxation in 1, 3, 5-Triamino-2, 4, 6-Trinitrobenzene (TATB).
Abstract
The compound 1, 3, 5 triamino-2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) is simple yet intractable; it is virtually insoluble and sublimes with decomposition at elevated temperature. It is, however, extremely attractive in its role as an insensitive high explosive. The origin of this insensitivity is not presently known. Compressed powders of pure TATB and also bonded TATB materials are found to expand irreversibly when the temperature is cycled; it is suggested (1) that this hysteresis stems from stresses induced by the anisotropic volume expansion of TATB. The mechanism for the large c-axis thermal expansion coefficient, over eight times that of graphite, is not understood. As a step towards identifying the character of the molecular motions which may relate to mechanical insensitivity and thermal expansion, we have performed a series of proton relaxation studies in (solid) TATB over the temperature range of approximately -80 to 240 C. In brief, we find that there is very little (detectable) molecular motion below about 150 C.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 16, 1980
- Accession Number
- ADA087209
Entities
People
- A. N. Garroway
- H. A. Resing
Organizations
- United States Naval Research Laboratory