Conversion of Propellant Grade Picrite to Spherical Nitroguanidine, an Insensitive Filler for Melt-Cast TNT Formulations

Abstract

The preparation of spherical nitroguanidine (SNQ) from Australia propellant grade picrite (NQ) has been investigated. A method based upon N- methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and acetone as solvent/nonsolvent has been found to give a good quality SNQ product from a variety of picrite batches. Larger spheres can be grown under these conditions by controlled seeding. Attempts to use recycled NMP and acetone gave an unsatisfactory product in general. Use of aqueous based systems gave poor product. Particle size, bulk density and hazard properties are determined for a number of batches. Recommendations on future research to evaluate SNQ formulations as insensitive main charge explosives are outlined.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1991
Accession Number
ADA246434

Entities

People

  • Lance D. Redman
  • Robert J. Spear
  • Russell Barrow

Organizations

  • Defence Science and Technology Group

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter IED
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Alcohols
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Crystallization
  • Crystals
  • Ethylene Glycol
  • Low Density
  • Materials
  • Materials Science
  • Mixtures
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Particle Size
  • Particles
  • Physical Properties
  • Recrystallization
  • Thermal Stability
  • Triple Base Propellants

Fields of Study

  • Chemistry

Readers

  • Polymer Science and Engineering.
  • Rocket Propulsion.