Metal and Oxide Additives as Agents for Munitions Self-Remediation
Abstract
Munitions material released into the environment as low-order detonation debris or unexploded ordnance represents potential long-term sources of contamination on training ranges. The objective of this pioneering investigation is to evaluate the effectiveness of multiple additives to initiate explosives degradation upon environmental exposure. Achieving substantial degradation without deleterious impact on munitions performance presents the most severe constraint. Two formulations were evaluated: PBXN-107 and Composition-B. The PBXN was amended with 5, 10, and 15 weight-% of powdered iron, iron-nickel, or modified TiO2. Composition-B was amended with 5 volume-% of the same iron or TiO2, as well as sodium dithionite. ARDEC prepared PBXN mixtures and conducted essential safety and stability tests. ERDC prepared Composition B mixtures and evaluated all self-remediation potentials in triplicate column experiments under laboratory conditions. Self-remediation was not strongly evident for the formulations and conditions considered. Chemical incompatibility of the additives with binder components compromised the PBXN results, but no evidence of RDX degradation was detected. Impact tests reveal a reduction in drop height for amended PBXN, though no reactions were detected in BAM and ABL friction tests, or electrostatic tests. For Comp-B, chemical reduction of TNT to the 4-amino-DNT intermediate was observed with the dithionite and, to a lesser degree, iron amendments. A small increase in TNB, a common photodegradation product of TNT, was observed with TiO2-amended Comp-B. As little as vol% Fe is sufficient for potential magnetic collection of particles. This investigation was successful in elucidating multiple challenges to be resolved for successful explosives self-remediation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA553547
Entities
People
- Christian J. Mcgrath
- Reddy Damavarapu
Organizations
- United States Army Corps of Engineers