The Synthesis and Characterization of New Energetic Salts
Abstract
Presently, hydrazine is the state of the art in many attitude control devices on many currently used satellite systems. The physical properties of hydrazine, namely its density and high vapor pressure, have led several research groups to search for new superior materials. In the late 1980's and through most of the 1990's significant amounts of work were placed on two low melting salt, hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN), and hydroxylammonium dinitramide (HADN). These two salts have from 60-70% density increase over that of hydrazine and when formulated with various fuels, make for energetic propellant materials. Unfortunately, hydroxylammonium nitrate and dinitramide salts have many safety, compatibility, storage, and ignition problems. At the Air Force Research Laboratory, we have been pursuing the synthesis and characterization of new energetic salts, as new monopropellant ingredients. Herein, we will discuss our synthetic work with a new large array of energetic salts based on high nitrogen, 1, 2, 4-triazoles, and on the very energetic 1, 2-bis(oxyamino)ethane. This discussion will include the synthesis, characterization, initial small scale safety testing (impact and friction), and some initial thermal stability studies of all these salts. It was realized that there are several, easily synthesized, nitrogen heterocycles that could be paired with anions including the nitrate, perchlorate, and dinitramide anions to form highly energetic salts. The four heterocycle systems are 1,2,4-triazole; 4-amino-1,2,4-triazole; 3,4,S-triamino-1,2,4-triazole; and 1,2,3-triazole (Figure 1). Ail of these heterocycles are either commercially available or are easily synthesized in high yield from inexpensive starting materials, and all have high heats of formation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 30, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA409798
Entities
People
- Adam Brand
- Gregory W. Drake
- Kerri Tollison
- Milton Mckay
- Tom W. Hawkins
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory