Central European Journal of Energetic Materials 

About: Central European Journal of Energetic Materials is an academic journal published by Lukasiewicz Research Network - Institute of Industrial Organic Chemistry. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Explosive material & Detonation. It has an ISSN identifier of 1733-7178. It is also open access. Over the lifetime, 591 publications have been published receiving 4875 citations. The journal is also known as: CEJEM.

Some Perspectives on Estimating Detonation Properties of C, H, N, O Compounds

Abstract: We have explored various aspects of the Kamlet-Jacobs equations for estimating detonation velocities and pressures. While the loading density of the explosive compound is certainly an important determinant of these properties, its effect can sometimes be overridden by other factors, such as the detonation heat release and/or the number of moles of gaseous products. Using a gas phase rather than solid phase enthalpy of formation in obtaining a compound's heat release can produce a significant error in the calculated detonation velocity. However a negative enthalpy of formation is not necessarily incompatible with excellent detonation properties. Additional evidence is presented to support Kamlet and Jacobs' conclusion that, for C, H, N, O explosives, assuming the detonation product composition to be N2(g)/H2O(g)/CO2(g)/C(s) gives overall quite satisfactory results.

Thermal Stability and Detonation Characteristics of Pressed and Elastic Explosives on the Basis of Selected Cyclic Nitramines

Abstract: Bicyclo-HMX (cis-1, 3, 4, 6-tetranitro-octahydroimidazo-[4, 5-d] imidazole or BCHMX) was studied as a plastic explosive bonded with the C4 matrix and with Viton A. Also a series of nitramines namely RDX (1, 3, 5-trinitro- 1, 3, 5-triazinane), HMX (1, 3, 5, 7-tetranitro-1, 3, 5, 7-tetrazocane) and HNIW (e-2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12-hexanitro-2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12-hexaazaisowurtzitane, e-CL-20) were studied for comparison with the same types of binders. The detonation velocity, D, of all prepared mixtures was measured. Their thermal stability was determined using non-isothermal differential thermal analysis (DTA). While the C4 matrix lowers the thermal stability of the resulting explosives, Viton A enhances this stability. Approximate relationships between the peaks of exothermic decomposition and the D values were found. The detonation parameters were also calculated by means of Kamlet & Jacobs method, CHEETAH and improved EXPLO5 code for all the mixtures. From the measured D values and the calculated detonation parameters, it is obvious that the detonation parameters of BCHMX-mixtures are very close to HMX-explosives and better than those of RDX-mixtures. It was found that the C4 matrix reduces the difference between the values of energy of detonation in the studied C4 mixtures. As expected, the pressed HNIW-Viton A mixture has the highest detonation parameters of all of the prepared mixtures.

Computational Characterization of a Potential Energetic Compound: 1,3,5,7-Tetranitro-2,4,6,8-tetraazacubane

Abstract: The high densities and (strain-induced) enthalpies of formation of cage-type molecules have drawn attention to their polynitro derivatives as potential energetic materials. Several such compounds have been synthesized, including octanitrocubane and hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane. One that has not yet been prepared but has evoked continuing interest is 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-2,4,6,8- tetraazacubane. Some years ago, on the basis of a very high estimated density (about 2.19 g/cm 3 ), it was predicted to have detonation properties greatly superior to those of HMX. We have now used computational procedures developed since that time to reassess the expected detonation performance of this compound. We find: density, 1.940 g/cm 3

Thermal Behavior and Decomposition Kinetics of RDX and RDX/HTPB Composition Using Various Techniques and Methods

Abstract: In this paper, the thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of trinitrohexahydrotriazine (RDX) and its polymer bonded explosive (PBX) containing a hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) based polyurethane binder in the ratio 80% RDX/ 20% HTPB were investigated using various experimental techniques and analytical methods. The HTPB polyurethane matrix contains other additives and was cured using hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Vacuum Stability Test (VST) and Ignition Delay Techniques were applied both isothermally and non-isothermally. The kinetic parameters were determined using both the isoconversional (model free) and the model-fitting methods. For comparison, Advanced Kinetics and Technology Solution (AKTS) software was also used. It was found that the addition of an HTPB-based polyurethane matrix to pure RDX decreased its decomposition temperature. It was also found that RDX/ HTPB has a lower activation energy than pure RDX. The polyurethane matrix had a significant effect on the decomposition mechanism of RDX resulting in different reaction models. It was concluded that the activation energies obtained using the Ozawa, Flynn, and Wall (OFW) and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) methods were very close to the results obtained via the AKTS software lying in the range 218.3-220.2 kJ·mol−1. The VST technique yielded kinetic parameters close to those obtained using TG/DTG. On the other hand, the Ignition Delay Technique yielded different and inconsistent kinetic parameters.

Ageing Behaviour of HTPB Based Rocket Propellant Formulations

Abstract: The ageing of HTPB propellant formulations containing nanoAl is investigated. During natural ageing the material undergoes a series of slow physico-chemical degradation reactions. By using accelerated ageing conditions it is possible to simulate the material behaviour at different time-temperature conditions especially focused on the in-service conditions. The mechanical and ageing behaviour of aluminised solid rocket propellants were investigated in terms of uniaxial tensile strength, DMA measurements, impact and friction sensitivity tests, SEM analyses.