Insensitive Energetic Materials: The Importance of Physical Properties and Molecular Structure

Abstract

A summary of the most important findings on the thermal decomposition of five cyclic nitramines is presented. The compounds studied include: octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), hexahydro-1,3,5- trinitro-striazine (RDX), hexahydro-l-nitroso-3,5-dinitro-s-triazine (ONDNTA), 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacycloheptane (TNCHP), and 2-oxo- 1,3,5-trinitro- 1,3, 5-triazacyclohexane (K6). The thermal decomposition processes were studied using simultaneous thermogravimetric modulated beam mass spectrometry (STMBMS) to identify the decomposition products and to determine their gas formation rates and using mixtures of isotopically labeled analogues of the compounds to track the decomposition mechanisms by analyzing the extent of isotopic scrambling and the deuterium kinetic isotope effect (DKIE). Extensive results on the thermal decomposition of RDX and HMX in the solid and liquid phases show that their decomposition is controlled by several parallel decomposition pathways. One pathway involves the loss of HONO and the formation of oxy-s-triazine (OST) from the RDX ring. The other pathway occurs via the mononitroso intermediate of the parent compound. The decomposition of the mononitroso-RDX intermediate, ONDNTA, has been extensively studied and a summary of the highlights of its decomposition is presented. The results on TNCHP show that it is the only one of the cyclic nitramines studied that is stable in the liquid phase. Thermal decomposition, Thermal stability, Mass spectrometry, Isotopic labels, Deuterium kinetic isotope effect, DKIE, Nitramines, Nitroso compounds, Cyclic nitramines, RMX, RDX, K6, TNCHP, ONDNTA, Kinetics, Reaction mechanisms, Reaction rates, Sensitivity, Explosives, Propellants, Energetic materials.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 22, 1993
Accession Number
ADA275393

Entities

People

  • Richaed Behrens Jr

Organizations

  • Sandia National Laboratories

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter IED

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Chemical Reaction Properties
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Combustion
  • Decomposition
  • Energetic Materials
  • High Pressure
  • Isotopes
  • Liquid Phases
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Materials
  • Military Research
  • Physical Properties
  • Rate Of Formation
  • Reaction Mechanisms
  • Research Facilities
  • Spectrometry
  • Thermal Stability

Fields of Study

  • Chemistry

Readers

  • Aquatic Ecology
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Rocket Propulsion.