A Preliminary Assessment of 3-Nitro-1,2,4-Triazol-5-One (NTO) as an Insensitive High Explosive
Abstract
A simple two-step method to produce NTO in high yield from semicarbazide hydrochloride has been defined. A free-flowing material with bulk density more than 0.9 g/ml has been produced by stirred aqueous recrystallisation; surfactants were ineffective in altering crystal habit. Impact sensitiveness of NTO was higher than expected although apparent propagation ability is low. Ignitability under thermal and electrostatic stimuli is substantially lower than RDX. Experimental firings were conducted to assess explosive performance for charges pressed to about 90% TMD; velocity of detonation at 12.7 mm and 15.9 mm diameter was determined while detonation pressure (plate dent) and critical diameter were estimated. Performance at these diameters is somewhat lower than RDX. Moulding powders for 95:5 NTO/binder formulations were prepared from three commercial EVA resins and a flame retardant polyphosphazene. All three NTO/EVA formulations were insensitive to impact. Recommendations for continuing studies on insensitive booster formulations have been made.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA215063
Entities
People
- C. N. Louey
- M. G. Wolfson
- R. J. Spear
Organizations
- Defence Science and Technology Group