New Energetic High-Performance Oxidizers and Explosives
Abstract
Abstract We aim to synthesize new energetic compounds for use as military related explosives, as well as oxidizers with a perfect oxygen balance (?). New military explosives have to perform equal or better than currently used hexogen (RDX) and octogen (HMX) but show sensitivities toward outer stimuli which are significantly lower than those of hexogen and octogen in order to meet today’s safety and IM regulations. The most commonly used oxidizer for energetic applications is still ammonium perchlorate. It has been proven that ammonium perchlorate is both highly toxic and unfortunately already widely distributed in the US as a consequence of its good water solubility. Therefore suitable replacements are highly desirable and of the utmost importance. Against that background we want to synthesize numerous new nitrogen-heterocycles such as pyrazole, triazole, tetrazole, triazine and pyrazines derivatives. They all benefit from high nitrogen contents and therefore have higher positive heats of formation and produce larger volumes of detonation and decomposition gases which both result in much better performance data. However, it has also been shown that larger oxygen contents are needed in order to accomplish full detonation - especially for metalized compositions. Therefore, we intend to increase the oxygen content to a level of ?CO~ 0–20% for high explosives and ?CO2 > 0% for oxidizers (oxygen balances for CxHyNzOn energetic materials are calculated by ?CO = nO?xC?yH/2(M/1600) and ?CO2 = nO?2xC?yH/2(M/1600). New, improved energetic materials will be very useful for the DoD and all subdivisions. They will dramatically increase the efficiency of all munitions such as warheads, gun/missile propellants, and missile defense with potential applications for Time-Critical Precision Strike, Naval Surface Fire Support, and other battlefield environments. The development of environmentally benign energetic materials will avoid negative influences on warfighters’ health during training and combat missions. High-nitrogen materials are also promising for application as additives in less erosive gun and rocket propellants. The use of those could minimize the cost of repairs and reduce the danger to missions through malfunction of equipment. Additionally, several current, past and future programs in the Navy will benefit from this work.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 03, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141612062
Entities
People
- Thomas Klapotke
Organizations
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy