Tuning the reactivity of Al–Ni by fine coating of halogen-containing energetic composites

In this paper, various core-shell structured Al–Ni@ECs composites have been prepared by a spray-drying technique. The involved ECs refer to the energetic composites (ECs) of ammonium perchlorate/nitrocellulose (AP/NC, NA) and polyvinylidene fluoride/hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (PVDF/CL-20, PC). Two Al–Ni mixtures were prepared at atomic ratios of 1:1 and 1:3 and named as Al/Ni and Al/3Ni, respectively. The thermal reactivity and combustion behaviors of Al–Ni@ECs composites have been comprehensively investigated. Results showed that the reactivity and combustion performance of Al–Ni could be enhanced by introducing both NA and PC energetic composites. Among which the Al/Ni@NA composite exhibited higher reactivity and improved combustion performance. The measured flame propagation rate (v = 20.6 mm/s), average combustion wave temperature (T_max = 1567.0 °C) and maximum temperature rise rate (γ_t = 1633.6 °C/s) of Al/Ni@NA are higher than that of the Al/Ni (v = 15.8 mm/s, T_max = 858.0 °C, and γ_t = 143.5 °C/s). The enhancement in combustion properties could be due to presence of the acidic gaseous products from ECs, which could etch the Al₂O₃ shell on the surface of Al particles, and make the inner active Al to be easier transported, so that an intimate and faster intermetallic reaction between Al and Ni would be realized. Furthermore, the morphologies and chemical compositions of the condensed combustion products (CCPs) of Al–Ni@ECs composites were found to be different depending on the types of ECs. The compositions of CCPs are dominated with the Al–Ni intermetallics, combining with a trace amount of Al₅O₆N and Al₂O₃.     

Structure design and property adjustment of new cage rich-nitrogen pentazolyltetraazacubanes as potential high energy density compounds

In this study, based on two attractive energetic compounds pentazole (PZ) and tetraazacubane (TAC), a new family of high energy and high nitrogen compounds pentazolyltetraazacubanes were designed. Then, a different number of NH₂ or NO₂ groups were introduced into the system to further adjust the property. The structures, properties, and the structure-property relationship of designed molecules were investigated theoretically. The results showed that all nine designed compounds have extremely high heat of formation (HOF, 1226-2734 kJ/mol), good density (1.73–1.88 g/cm³), high detonation velocity (8.30–9.35 km/s), high detonation pressure (29.8–39.7 GPa) and acceptable sensitivity (ΔV: 41-87 ų). These properties could be effectively positive adjusted by replacing one or two PZ rings by NH₂ or/and NO₂ groups, especially for the energy and sensitivity performance, which were increased and decreased obviously, respectively. As a result, two designed pentazolyltetraazacubanes were predicted to have higher energy and lower sensitivity than the famous high energy compound in use 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctane, while two others have better combination property than 1,3,5-Trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane. In all, four new pentazolyltetraazacubanes with good combination performance were successfully designed by combining PZ with TAC, and the further property adjustment strategy of introducing a suitable amount of NH₂/NO₂ groups into the system. This work may help develop new cage energetic compounds.     

Hyperspectral imaging and remote trace detection of cis-1,3,4,6-tetranitrooctahydroimidazo-[4,5 d] imidazole (BCHMX) compared with traditional explosives using laser induced fluorescence

cis-1,3,4,6-Tetranitrooctahydroimidazo-[4,5 d] imidazole (BCHMX) is an advanced energetic compound that expected to spread worldwide in the near future. Since, no approved remote detection methods were reported in current literature for this material, we performed hyper-spectral imaging and laser induced fluorescence (LIF) to a BCHMX sample under low laser fluence for determining the optimum laser wavelength used in any future BCHMX-LIF based remote detection systems. For this purpose, an experimental setup consisted of a sun spectrum lamp and hyper-spectral camera was built to illuminate and image white powder samples of BCHMX in comparison with the traditional explosives, HMX (1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazacyclooctane), RDX (1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane), PETN (2,2-Bis[(nitroxy)methyl]propane-1,3-diyldinitrate). The imaging reveals strong BCHMX sample absorption contrast among other samples at wavelength ranging from 400 to 410 nm. When light source was replaced by a 405 nm laser diode illuminator, a strong BCHMX sample LIF at the spectral range from 425 to 700 nm was observed under low laser fluence condition of 0.1 mJ/cm². Finally, we demonstrated successfully the ability of the 405 nm LIF and the hyperspectral imaging technique to detect finger print traces of BCHMX on white cellulose fabric from a distance of 15 m and a detection limit of 1 μg/cm².     

Nitro-tetrazole based high performing explosives: Recent overview of synthesis and energetic properties

Heterocyclic skeleton (Azoles) and different energetic groups containing high performing explosives are highly emerged in recent years to meet the challenging requirements of energetic materials in both military and civilian applications with improved performance. For this purpose tetrazole (Azole) is identified as an attractive heterocyclic backbone with energetic functional groups nitro (-NO₂), nitrato (-ONO₂), nitrimino (-NNO₂), and nitramino (–NH–NO₂) to replace the traditionally used high performing explosives. The tetrazole based compounds having these energetic functional groups demonstrated advanced energetic performance (detonation velocity and pressure), densities, and heat of formation (HOF) and became a potential replacement of traditional energetic compounds such as RDX. This review presents a summary of the recently reported nitro-tetrazole energetic compounds containing poly-nitro, di/mono-nitro, nitrato/nitramino/nitrimino, bridged/bis/di tetrazole and nitro functional groups, describing their preparation methods, advance energetic properties, and further applications as high-performing explosives, especially those reported in the last decade. This review aims to provide a fresh concept for designing nitro-tetrazole based high performing explosives together with major challenges and perspectives.     

Estimation of the kinetic parameters for thermal decomposition of HNIW and its adiabatic time-to-explosion by Kooij formula

A differential/integral method to estimate the kinetic parameters (apparent activation energy E_a and pre-exponential factor A) for thermal decomposition reaction of energetic materials based on Kooij formula are applied to study the nonisothermal decomposition reaction kinetics of hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW) by analyzing nonisothermal DSC curve data. The apparent activation energy (E_a) obtained by the integral isoconversional non-isothermal method based on Kooij formula is used to check the constancy and validity of apparent activation energy by the differential/integral method based on Kooij formula. The most probable mechanism function of thermal decomposition reaction of HNIW is determined by a logical choice method. The equations for calculating the critical temperatures of thermal explosion (T_b) and adiabatic time-to-explosion (t_TIad) based on Kooij formula are used to calculate the values of T_b and t_TIad to evaluate the thermal safety and heat-resistant ability of HNIW. All the original data needed for analyzing the kinetic parameters are from nonisothermal DSC curves. The results show that the kinetic model function in differential form and the values of E_a and A of decomposition reaction of HNIW are 3(1 − α)[−ln(1 − α)]^2/3, 152.73 kJ mol⁻¹ and 10^11.97 s⁻¹, respectively, and the values of self-accelerating decomposition temperature (T_SADT), T_b and t_TIad are 486.55 K, 493.11 K and 52.01 s, respectively.     

Theoretical calculation and experimental study on the interaction mechanism between TKX-50 and AP

The combination of 5,5′-bistetrazole-1,1′-diolate (TKX-50) and ammonium perchlorate (AP) can make greater use of the chemical energy of TKX-50 based energetic materials. The research on the interaction mechanism between TKX-50 and AP is very important for designing TKX-50-AP compounds and judging the formation feasibility of composite particles, which can lay a theoretical foundation for the preparation of TKX-50-AP mixed crystals and the application of TKX-50 in propellant, propellant and explosive. Herein, in order to research the interaction mechanism between TKX-50 and AP, density-functional theory calculation was applied to optimize three configurations of TKX-50-AP compounds. The geometry structure, electrostatic potential and binding energy of the compounds were predicted, and the electronic density topological analysis was also carried out. Then TKX-50-AP mixed crystals structures were constructed, and the radial distribution function of H–O and H–N in mixed crystals was calculated. Finally, solvent/non-solvent method was applied to prepare TKX-50-AP composites, and the infrared spectroscopy and the non-isothermal decomposition performance of the composites were characterized. Results show that the superposition of positive charges in TKX-50 molecule and negative charges in AP makes the electrostatic potential distributions of TKX-50-AP compounds different from that of TKX-50 and AP. The interaction energies of TKX-50-AP 1, TKX-50-AP 2 and TKX-50-AP 3 are 39.743 kJ/mol, 61.206 kJ/mol and 27.702 kJ/mol, respectively. The interaction between TKX-50 molecules and AP molecules in TKX-50-AP mixed crystals both depends on hydrogen bonds and van der Waals force, and the number and strength of hydrogen bonds are significantly greater than that of van der Waals force. The composition of AP and TKX-50 makes the absorption peak of the five-membered rings and NH₃OH⁺ of TKX-50 shift to low wavenumber in the infrared spectroscopy. In general, TKX-50 interacts with AP via hydrogen bonds and van der Waals force, and the calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental results. The composition of TKX-50 and AP can also prolong the decomposition process.     

Effect of Drying on Particle Size and Sensitivities of Nano hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine

Nano hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) was prepared using a bi-directional rotation mill and dried under different conditions (liquid, temperature and drying). It shows that the samples cake seriously and the particles grow up obviously by ordinary drying in different liquids at 70 °C, which occurs again after vacuum drying. With the increase of temperature, the degrees of caking and aggregation are enhanced. Well dispersed sample maintaining constant particle size is extracted by supercritical drying, especially freeze drying. Furthermore, the mechanical sensitivities of I-RDX, O-RDX and F-RDX, of which the average sizes are 88.03 μm, 15.32 μm and 0.16 μm, respectively, are evaluated. Compared with I-RDX, the friction, impact and shock sensitivities of O-RDX are slightly lower. However, the friction, impact and shock sensitivities of F-RDX are reduced by 30%, 99.0% and 59.9%, respectively.     

Theoretical design of new bridge-ring insensitive high energy compounds by selected normal Diels-Alder reactions between NH2-substituted oxazoles and NO2/NF2/NHNO2-substituted ethylenes/acetylenes

In this work, NH₂-substituted oxazoles and NO₂/NF₂/NHNO₂-substituted ethylenes/acetylenes were designed and used as dienes and dienophiles, respectively, in order to develop new bridge-ring insensitive high energy compounds through the Diels-Alder reaction between them. The reaction type, reaction feasibility and performance of reaction products were investigated in detail theoretically. The results showed that dienes most possibly react with dienophiles through the HOMO-diene controlled normal Diels-Alder reaction at relatively low energy barrier. Tetranitroethylene could react with the designed dienes much more easily than other dienophiles, and was employed to further design 29 new bridge-ring energetic compounds. Due to high heat of formation, density and oxygen balance, all designed bridge-ring energetic compounds have outstanding detonation performance, 16 of them have higher energy than HMX (1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine) and 2 others even possess comparative energy with the representative of high energy compounds CL-20 (2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane). The predicted average h₅₀ value of these bridge-ring energetic compounds is 83 cm, showing their low impact sensitivity. The NH₂ groups could obviously impel the proceeding of Diels-Alder reactions, but would slightly decrease the energy and sensitivity performance. In all, the new designed bridge-ring compounds have both high energy and low sensitivity, and may be produced through Diels-Alder reactions at relatively low energy barrier. This paper may be helpful for the theoretical design and experiment synthesis of new advanced insensitive high energy compounds.     

Investigating the surface integrity of aluminium based composites machined by EDM

In the present work, the surface characteristics of Electrical Discharge Machined (EDM) Al (6351)SiC and Al (6351)SiCB₄C composites are investigated. The composites are prepared by employing the conventional stir casting technique, as it can produce better particle dispersion in the matrix. The detailed experimental study is performed on the composites by varying current (I), duty factor (τ), pulse on time (T_on), and the gap voltage (V) in order to analyze the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) formed in the sub surface and the average crater diameter formed on the machined surface of the composites as an output function. The formation of recast layers, presence of bubbles and the surface texture of the composites at various machining conditions are observed. The results show that the increased Metal Removal Rate (MRR) increases the depth of HAZ and the average crater diameter on the machined area. Further, the addition of B₄C particles to the composite produces more surface defect than the AlSiC composite.     

Novel aluminum-based fuel: Facile preparation to improve thermal reactions

To improve the thermal properties of aluminum (Al) in the energetic system, a coated structure with ammonium perchlorate (AP) was prepared by a facile approach. And N, N-Dimethylformamide (DMF) was chosen as an ideal solvent based on heterogeneous nucleation theory and molecular dynamics simulation. This coated structure could enlarge the contact area and improve the reaction environment to enhance the thermal properties. The addition of AP could accelerate oxidation temperature of Al with around 17.5 °C. And the heat release of 85@15 composition rises to 26.13 kJ/g and the reaction degree is 97.6% with higher peak pressure (254.6 kPa) and rise rate (1.397 MPa/s). An ideal ratio with 15 wt% AP was probed primarily. The high energy laser-induced shockwave experiment was utilized to simulate the reaction behavior in hot field. And the larger activated mixture of coated powder could release more energy to promote the growth of shockwave with higher speed up to 518.7 ± 55.9 m/s. In conclusion, 85@15 composition is expected to be applied in energetic system as a novel metal fuel.     

The surface activation of boron to improve ignition and combustion characteristic

Boron is a very promising and highly attractive fuel because of high calorific value. However, the practical applications in explosives and propellants of boron have been limited by long ignition delay time and low combustion efficiency. Herein, nano-Al and graphene fluoride (GF) as surface activated materials are employed to coat boron (B) particles to improve ignition and combustion performance. The reaction heat of nano-Al coated B/KNO₃ and GF coated B/KNO₃ are 1116.83 J/g and 862.69 J/g, respectively, which are higher than that of pure B/KNO₃ (823.39 J/g). The ignition delay time of B/KNO₃ could be reduced through nano-Al coating. The shortest ignition delay time is only 75 ms for B coated with nano-Al of 8 wt%, which is much shorter than that of pure B/KNO₃ (109 ms). However, the ignition delay time of B/KNO₃ coated with GF has been increased from 109 to 187 ms. B coated with GF and nano-Al shown significantly influence on the pressure output and flame structure of B/KNO₃. Furthermore, the effects of B/O ratios on the pressure output and ignition delay time have been further fully studied. For B/KNO₃ coated with nano-Al and GF, the highest pressures are 88 KPa and 59 KPa for B/O ratio of 4:6, and the minimum ignition delay time are 94 ms and 148 ms for B/O ratio of 7:3. Based on the above results, the reaction process of boron coated with GF and nano-Al has been proposed to understand combustion mechanism.     

Effect of energy content of the nitraminic plastic bonded explosives on their performance and sensitivity characteristics

Information about the forty nine nitraminic plastic bonded explosives (PBXs) and different nitramines were collected. Fillers of these PBXs are nitramines 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX) and β-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5-tetrazocane (β-HMX), cis-1,3,4,6-tetranitro-octahydroimidazo-[4,5-d]imidazole (bicyclo-HMX, BCHMX) and ε-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (ε-HNIW, CL-20) which are bonded by polyfluoro-elastomers, polydimethyl-siloxane, poly-glycidyl azide, polyisobutylene, polystyrene-butadiene, poly-acrylonitrile-butadiene and hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene in addition to a melt cast compositions based on 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene. For thirty two of these PBXs the relationships are specified and analyzed between heats of their combustion and relative explosive strengths; by means of these relationships it might be possible to estimate, which groupings in the macromolecule of binder could be liable to their primary fission in the PBXs initiation. Similarly, for forty two of these explosives, the relationships are described and analyzed between their enthalpies of formation and impact sensitivities; here is especially attention paid to PBXs filled by BCHMX. Specific rate constants from Vacuum Stability Test (VST) of four nitramines and twenty PBXs are introduced into relationships with their enthalpies of formation. Regarding to all the mentioned cases, increasing of energy content of the studied explosives leads to increase of the relative explosive strength or initiation reactivity, respectively. Exception with the opposite trend, the outputs of VST are for BCHMX, where in PBXs are matrices with the esteric plasticizers or the energetic poly-glycidyl azide. Admixture of RDX or HMX, respectively, into the BCHX PBXs gives ternary PBXs whose thermal stability, in the sense of applied VST, is higher comparing to the original binary explosives.     

Burning characteristics of microcellular combustible objects

Microcellular combustible objects for application of combustible case, caseless ammunition or combustible detonator-holding tubes are fabricated through one-step foaming process, in which supercritical CO₂ is used as foaming agent. The formulations consist of inert polymer binder and ultra fine RDX. For the inner porous structures of microcellular combustible objects, the cell sizes present a unimodal or bimodal distribution by adjusting the foaming conditions. Closed bomb test is to investigate the influence of both porous structure style and RDX content on burning behavior. The sample with bimodal distribution of cell sizes burns faster than that with unimodal distribution, and the concentration of RDX can influence the burning characteristics in a positive manner. In addition, the translation of laminar burning to convective burning is determined by burning rate versus pressure curves of samples at two different loading densities, and the resulting transition pressure is 30 MPa. Moreover, the samples with bigger sample size present higher burning rate, resulting in providing deeper convective depth. Dynamic vivacity of samples is also studied. The results show that the vivacity increases with RDX content and varies with inner structure.     

Fullerene bisadduct stabilizers: The effect of different addition positions on inhibiting the autocatalytic decomposition of nitrocellulose absorbed nitroglycerin

To explore the effect of different positions and number of pyrrolidine bound to the carbon cage on the stabilization effect of fulleropyrrolidine derivatives to nitrocellulose (NC)/nitroglycerine (NG), we synthesized N-(4-methoxy) phenylpyrrolidine-C₆₀ and four different of bis(N-(4-methoxy) phenylpyrrolidine)-C₆₀ compounds through Prato reaction. Their structures were characterized by UV–vis, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, high-resolution mass spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Their stabilization effect to NC/NG were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry, methyl violet, vacuum stabilization effect, weight loss, and accelerating rate calorimeter tests. The results indicated these compounds had excellent stabilization effect to NC/NG. The stabilization effect of the fulleropyrrolidine bisadducts to NC/NG is significantly better than that of fulleropyrrolidine monoadduct and C₆₀. Moreover, the position where pyrrolidine binds to fullerene in fulleropyrrolidine bisadducts is different, and its stabilization effect to NC is also different. The stabilization effect order of different bisadduct isomers to nitrocellulose is as follows: e-edge > trans-2> cis-2> trans-3. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and FT-IR were used to study the stabilization mechanism of fulleropyrrolidine derivatives to NC/NG. The EPR results also show that fulleropyrrolidine bisadducts with different addition sites have different abilities to absorb nitroxide, and their ability is better than that of the monoadduct and C₆₀, which is consistent with the results of stabilization effect performance test.     

Noise and vibration measurements in a Viking military vehicle

Noise and whole-body vibration measurements were made in a Viking military vehicle to determine the variation that should be expected during repeat measures, the effect of speed (up to 60 km/h in 5 km/h increments), and during travel over different types of terrain (comprising concrete road, gravel track and rough cross-country). Measurements were made at various crew positions (including the driver and commander) in both the front and the rear cabs in the vehicles. Three translational axes of vibration were measured in each seat. Two speeds were investigated over road (35 km/h and 55–60 km/h) and gravel (20 km/h and 35 km/h) surfaces. The effect of varying speed of the vehicle on the measured noise and vibration magnitudes was also investigated. The highest sound pressure level (L_Aeq) of 104 dB(A) was measured at the commander’s standing position during travel over concrete road at 55 km/h. Higher noise levels occurred for a standing commander compared with when sitting on the seat. A maximum single axis frequency-weighted vibration magnitude of 1.0 m/s² r.m.s. was measured on the driver’s seat during travel over track at 35 km/h. Higher vibration magnitudes occurred during travel over track compared with travel over road. Both noise and vibration exposure of crew within the Viking vehicle increased with increasing speed of the vehicle.     

Ballistic response of armour plates using Generative Adversarial Networks

It is important to understand how ballistic materials respond to impact from projectiles such that informed decisions can be made in the design process of protective armour systems. Ballistic testing is a standards-based process where materials are tested to determine whether they meet protection, safety and performance criteria. For the V₅₀ ballistic test, projectiles are fired at different velocities to determine a key design parameter known as the ballistic limit velocity (BLV), the velocity above which projectiles perforate the target. These tests, however, are destructive by nature and as such there can be considerable associated costs, especially when studying complex armour materials and systems. This study proposes a unique solution to the problem using a recent class of machine learning system known as the Generative Adversarial Network (GAN). The GAN can be used to generate new ballistic samples as opposed to performing additional destructive experiments. A GAN network architecture is tested and trained on three different ballistic data sets, and their performance is compared. The trained networks were able to successfully produce ballistic curves with an overall RMSE of between 10 and 20 % and predicted the V₅₀ BLV in each case with an error of less than 5 %. The results demonstrate that it is possible to train generative networks on a limited number of ballistic samples and use the trained network to generate many new samples representative of the data that it was trained on. The paper spotlights the benefits that generative networks can bring to ballistic applications and provides an alternative to expensive testing during the early stages of the design process.     

Preparation and characterization of HMX/NH2-GO composite with enhanced thermal safety and desensitization

To improve the safety of HMX, HMX/NH₂-GO composite was prepared with aqueous ammonia functionalized graphene oxide (NH₂-GO). The composite was characterized by SEM, Zeta potential, XPS, Raman spectrum, XRD, HPLC, DSC and BAM sensitivity test. The results indicated that the functionalization with aqueous ammonia can enhance the interaction between GO and HMX, and more efficiently desensitize the explosive. The optimal impact sensitivity of the HMX/NH₂-GO composite can be not less than 40 J, which is also the most insensitivity compared to the previous reports prepared by coating desensitization with non-energetic desensitized material. Moreover, the potential reason for the different impact and friction sensitivity was also discussed, which may bring a novel perspective to achieve the desensitization of energetic material.     

Burning characteristics of high density foamed GAP/CL-20 propellants

The monolithic foamed propellants with high densities were prepared by casting and two-step foaming processes. Glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) and isocyanate were used as the binder system and 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW, CL-20) was employed as the energetic component. The newly designed formulation containing 60 % CL-20 produced a force constant of 1077 J/g and low flame temperature of 2817 K. Two foamed propellants with densities of 1.32 g/cm³ and 1.53 g/cm³ were fabricated by a confined foaming process and examined by closed bomb tests. The results revealed that porosity significantly affects burning performance. A size effect on combustion behaviors was observed for the foamed propellant with 5.56 % porosity, and a double-hump progressive dynamic vivacity curve was obtained. At last, the 30 mm gun test was carried out to demonstrate the interior ballistic performance, and the muzzle velocity increased by 120 m/s at the same maximum chamber pressure when monolithic propellant was added in the charge.     

聚碳硅烷／二乙烯基苯快速升温裂解制备Cf/SiC复合材料

以聚碳硅烷(PCS)/二乙烯基苯(DVB)为先驱体,采用快速升温裂解制备了3D-B Cf/SiC复合材料.结果证明:裂解升温速率的提高可以大大缩短制备周期,同时可以提高材料密度和形成较好的界面结合,从而提高材料的力学性能.制备得到的Cf/SiC材料室温弯曲强度达到556.7MPa.     

Formation and characterization of core-shell CL-20/TNT composite prepared by spray-drying technique

The core-shell 2,4,6,8,10,12-Hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane/2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (CL-20/TNT) composite was prepared by spray-drying method in which sensitive high energy explosive (CL-20) was coated with insensitive explosive (TNT). The structure and properties of different formulations of CL-20/TNT composite and CL-20/TNT mixture were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Laser particle size analyzer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), impact sensitivity test and detonation performance. The results of SEM, TEM, XPS and XRD show that ϵ-CL-20 particles are coated by TNT. When the ratio of CL-20/TNT is 75/25, core-shell structure is well formed, and thickness of the shell is about 20–30 nm. And the analysis of heat and impact show that with the increase of TNT content, the TNT coating on the core-shell composite material can not only catalyze the thermal decomposition of core material (CL-20), but also greatly reduce the impact sensitivity. Compared with the CL-20/TNT mixture (75/25) at the same ratio, the characteristic drop height of core-shell CL-20/TNT composite (75/25) increased by 47.6% and the TNT coating can accelerate the nuclear decomposition in the CL-20/TNT composites. Therefore, the preparation of the core-shell composites can be regarded as a unique means, by which the composites are characterized by controllable decomposition rate, high energy and excellent mechanical sensitivity and could be applied to propellants and other fields.