Study of nano-nitramine explosives: preparation,sensitivity and application

Nano-nitramine explosives (RDX, HMX, CL-20) are produced on a bi-directional grinding mill. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations show that the prepared particles are semi-spherical, and the narrow size distributions are characterized using the laser particle size analyzer. Compared with the micron-sized samples, the nano-products show obvious decrease in friction and impact sensitivities. In the case of shock sensitivities, nano-products have lower values by 59.9% (RDX), 56.4% (HMX), and 58.1% (CL-20), respectively. When nano-RDX and nano-HMX are used in plastic bonded explosives (PBX) as alternative materials of micron-sized particles, their shock sensitivities are significantly decreased by 24.5% (RDX) and 22.9% (HMX), and their detonation velocities are increased by about 1.7%. Therefore, it is expected to promote the application of nano-nitramine explosives in PBXs and composite modified double-based propellants (CMDBs) so that some of their properties would be improved.     

Insensitive energetic microspheres DAAF/RDX fabricated by facile molecular self-assembly

Insensitive energetic materials are promising in the defense weapons field. However, energetic materials still suffer from great challenges and the concern about their safety limits their utilization. In this work, insensitive energetic explosive 3,3′-diamino-4,4′-azoxyfurazan/hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (DAAF/RDX) microspheres were fabricated by self-assembly method. Rod-like DAAF/RDX was prepared by mechanical ball milling for comparison. DAAF/RDX composites with different mass ratios (90:10, 80:20, and 70:30) were obtained. The morphologies and structures of as-obtained DAAF/RDX composites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The results showed that DAAF/RDX microspheres exhibited regular shaped microspheres with sizes from 0.5 to 1.2 μm. There was no crystal transition during the modification process. The thermal properties of as-obtained materials were then evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and materials studio software. DAAF/RDX microspheres showed an advanced decomposition peak temperature compared with rod-like DAAF/RDX. The binding energy and peak temperature values at zero β_i (T_P0) of DAAF/RDX (90:10) increased by 36.77 kJ/mol, 1.6 °C, and 58.11 kJ/mol, 12.3 °C compared to DAAF/RDX (80:20) and DAAF/RDX (70:30), indicating the better thermal stability of DAAF/RDX (90:10). The characteristic drop height (H₅₀) of DAAF/RDX (higher than 100 cm) composites was higher than that of raw RDX (25 cm), suggesting significant improvements in mechanical safety. The preparation of DAAF/RDX microspheres is promising for the desensitization of RDX and useful for the formation of other materials and future wide applications.     

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.     

Experimental study on the cavity evolution and liquid spurt of hydrodynamic ram

In research of the characteristics of the cavity evolution, the pressure, and the liquid spurt in hydrodynamic ram, the experiment of the high-velocity fragment impacting the water-filled container had been conducted. The relationships between the above three characteristics have been researched. The evolution of the cavity can be divided into three processes according to its shape characteristics. The first liquid spurt occurred in Process Ⅱ and the rest of it occurred in Process Ⅲ. The duration of the second liquid spurt is longer than the first liquid spurt. When the impact velocity of the fragment is less than 996 m/s, the velocity of the second liquid spurt is the highest. When the velocity of the fragment is greater than 996 m/s, the velocity of the first liquid spurt is the highest. The maximum velocities of the first and second liquid spurt are 111 m/s and 94 m/s respectively. The pressure fluctuated sharply in Processes Ⅰ and Ⅲ. The maximum peak pressures in the shock and the cavity oscillation phases are 15.51 MPa and 7.96 MPa respectively. The time interval of the two adjacent pressure pulses increases with the increase of the fragment velocity.     

Microcrack- and microvoid-related impact damage and ignition responses for HMX-based polymer-bonded explosives at high temperature

Investigating the damage and ignition behaviors of polymer-bonded explosive (PBX) under a coupled impact and high-temperature loading condition is required for the safe use of charged PBXs. An improved combined microcrack and microvoid model (CMM) was developed for better describing the thermal effects of deformation, damage, and ignition responses of PBXs. The main features of the model under typical dynamic loadings (i.e. uniaxial tension and compression, and lateral confinement) at different initial temperature were first studied. And then the effects of temperature on impact-shear sensitivity of HMX-based PBXs were investigated. The results showed that the ignition threshold velocity of shear-crack hotspots exhibits an increase from 260 to 270 to 315–325 m/s when initial temperature increases from 301 to 348 K; and then the threshold velocity decreases to 290–300 m/s with the initial temperature continually increasing to 378 K. The predicted ignition threshold velocity level of the explosives under coupled impact and high temperature loading conditions were consistent with the experimental data.     

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.     

餐厨垃圾热风干燥过程特性及模拟

为了考察不同温度(60～100℃)对2种餐厨垃圾在热风干燥过程中的水分变化规律及动理学特性的影响,利用7个数学模型对餐厨垃圾干燥过程的水分变化规律进行了拟合对比。结果表明:温度是影响干燥的重要因素。干燥温度越高,餐厨垃圾达到平衡含水率所需时间越短;烹饪过程可以改变餐厨垃圾的热阻,增加其活化能;用Page模型和Modified Page模型描述餐厨垃圾热风干燥过程拟合精度最佳;2种餐厨垃圾有效湿分扩散系数分别为1.37×10-9～2.47×10-9,5.14×10-10～2.05×10-9m2/s,活化能分别为13.86,34.05 kJ/mol。     

Scale-up synthesis and characterization of 2,6-diamino-3,5-dinitropyrazine-1-oxide

2,6-diamino-3,5-dinitropyrazine-1-oxide (ANPZO), as an insensitive high explosive, with a high yield and excellent purity has been prepared at pilot plant scale by an improved method. The synthesized ANPZO is characterized by IR, laser granularity measurement, SEM and HPLC. The particle analysis revealed that the improved method could offer desired product with average particle size of 40 μm and high purity (>98.45%). The experimental parameters exhibited that the detonation velocity of the formulation based on ANPZO was higher than that of the corresponding TATB formulation. The DSC curve showed that the exothermic decomposition of the product occurred at the temperature between 300.5 °C and 360.4 °C. Furthermore, the sensitivity test suggests its safe nature towards mechanical stimulus.     

Investigation of normal,lateral, and oblique impact of microscale projectiles into unidirectional glass/epoxy composites

Spacesuits and spacecraft must endure high velocity impacts from micrometeoroids. This work considers the impact of 100 μm diameter projectiles into composite targets at velocities from 0.5 km/s to 2 km/s. This work begins by presenting an energy-based theoretical model relating depth of penetration (DoP) and impact force to impact velocity, characteristic time, and threshold velocity and force. Next, this work compares numerical simulations of normal impact on composites to the theoretical model. Numerical simulations are conducted with LS-DYNA and the well-known composite model, MAT-162. The numerical models consider unidirectional S2-glass fiber reinforced SC-15 epoxy composite laminates. The numerical model shows good correlation with the theoretical model. The numerical model also investigates lateral impact, parallel to the fiber direction, and oblique impact at angles from 30° to 82.5°. This work decomposes oblique impact into normal and lateral components, and compares them with normal and lateral impact results. The results show good correlation of the normal component of oblique results with the theoretical model. This numerical and theoretical study focuses on DoP, velocity, and penetration resistance force as functions of time. The theoretical model and numerical simulations are used to determine new DoP parameters: characteristic time of depth of penetration and threshold impact velocity. These models are a first step in developing the capability to predict DoP for oblique, microscale, high-speed impact on composite materials.     

A quasi-isentropic model of a cylinder driven by aluminized explosives based on characteristic line analysis

A quasi-isentropic study on the process of driving a cylinder with aluminized explosives was carried out to examine the influence of the aluminum (Al) reaction rate on cylinder expansion and the physical parameters of the detonation products. Based on the proposed quasi-isentropic hypothesis and relevant isentropic theories, the characteristic lines of aluminized explosives driving a cylinder were analyzed, and a quasi-isentropic model was established. This model includes the variation of the cylinder wall velocity and the physical parameters of the detonation products with the Al reaction degree. Using previously reported experimental results, the quasi-isentropic model was verified to be applicative and accurate. This model was used to calculate the physical parameters for cylinder experiments with aluminized cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine explosives with 15.0 % and 30.0 % Al content. The results show that this quasi-isentropic model can be used not only to calculate the cylinder expansion rule or Al reaction degree, but also to calculate the physical parameters of the detonation products in the process of cylinder expansion. For explosives with 15.0 % and 30.0 % Al, 24.3 % and 18.5 % of the Al was found to have reacted at 33.9 μs and 34.0 μs, respectively. The difference in Al content results in different reaction intensity, occurrence time, and duration of two forms of reaction (diffusion and kinetic) between the Al powder and the detonation products; the post-detonation burning reaction between the Al powder and the detonation products prolongs the positive pressure action time, resulting in a continuous rise in temperature after detonation.     

Influence of propagation direction on operation performance of rotating detonation combustor with turbine guide vane

Due to the pressure gain combustion characteristics, the rotating detonation combustor (RDC) can enhance thermodynamic cycle efficiency. Therefore, the performance of gas-turbine engine can be further improved with this combustion technology. In the present study, the RDC operation performance with a turbine guide vane (TGV) is experimentally investigated. Hydrogen and air are used as propellants while hydrogen and air mass flow rate are about 16.1 g/s and 500 g/s and the equivalence ratio is about 1.0. A pre-detonator is used to ignite the mixture. High-frequency dynamic pressure transducers and silicon pressure sensors are employed to measure pressure oscillations and static pressure in the combustion chamber. The experimental results show that the steady propagation of rotating detonation wave (RDW) is observed in the combustion chamber and the mean propagation velocity is above 1650 m/s, reaching over 84% of theoretical Chapman-Jouguet detonation velocity. Clockwise and counterclockwise propagation directions of RDW are obtained. For clockwise propagation direction, the static pressure is about 15% higher in the combustor compared with counterclockwise propagation direction, but the RDW dominant frequency is lower. When the oblique shock wave propagates across the TGV, the pressure oscillations reduces significantly. In addition, as the detonation products flow through the TGV, the static pressure drops up to 32% and 43% for clockwise and counterclockwise propagation process respectively.     

The effect of al particle size on thermal decomposition,mechanical strength and sensitivity of Al/ZrH2/PTFE composite

To study the thermal decomposition of Al/ZrH2/PTFE with different Al particle size as well as mechanical strength and impact sensitivity under medium and low strain rates, molding-vacuum sintering was adopted to prepare four groups of power materials and cylindrical specimens with different Al particle size. The active decomposition temperature of ZrH2 was obtained by TG-DSC, and the quasi-static me-chanics/reaction characteristics as well as the impact sensitivity of the specimen were studied respec-tively by quasi-static compression and drop-hammer test. The results show that the yield strength of the material decreased with the increase of the Al particle size, while the compressive strength, failure strain and toughness increased first and then decreased, which reached the maximum values of 116.61 MPa, 191％, and 119.9 MJ/m respectively when the Al particle size is 12—14μm because of particle size grading. The specimens with the highest strength and toughness formed circumferential open cracks and reacted partly when pressed. Those with developmental cracks formed inside did not react. It is considered that fracture of specimens first triggered initial reaction between Al and PTFE to release an amount of heat. Then ZrH2 was activated and decomposed, and participated in subsequent reaction to generate ZrC. The impact sensitivity of the specimens decreased with the increase of Al particle size.     

纤维增强SiO2气凝胶隔热复合材料的制备及其性能

将无机陶瓷纤维与SiO2溶胶混合,经超临界干燥制备了SiO2气凝胶隔热复合材料。SiO2气凝胶纤细的骨架颗粒减少了固态热传导,纳米级孔减少了气体热传导和对流传热,同时无机陶瓷纤维减少了辐射传热。SiO2气凝胶复合材料具有良好的隔热性能,其200℃和800℃的热导率分别为0.017W/m.K和0.042W/m.K。纤维的加入提供了力学支撑,高温处理增强了气凝胶骨架强度,材料在常温和高温下均具有良好的力学性能,其常温的拉伸、弯曲和抗压强度分别为1.44MPa、1.31MPa和0.98MPa(10%应变),800℃的拉伸、弯曲和抗压强度分别为1.95MPa、1.80MPa和1.42MPa(10%应变)。     

Effect of microstructure on short pulse duration shock initiation of TATB and initial response mechanism

Micro-TATB particles with different sizes and 3D nanoporous TATB architectures with different specific surface areas were prepared through recrystallization to study short pulse duration shock initiation properties by electric gun technology. For micro-TATB, the initiation threshold significantly decreases with TATB average size ranging from 79.7 μm to 0.5 μm. For 3D nanoporous TATB architecture, the initiation threshold decreases and then increases with specific surface areas increased from 9.6 m²/g to 36.2 m²/g. The lowest initiation thresholds are obtained for the micro-TATB with average sizes of 1.3 μm and 0.5 μm, and 3D nanoporous TATB architecture with specific surface area of 22.4 m²/g. The shock initiation thresholds of micro-TATB and 3D nanoporous TATB architectures show significantly decreases with the porosity increased. The decomposition reaction and thermal conductivity properties were further investigated to understand the initial response mechanism. High porosity provides more collapse sites to generate high temperature for formation of hot spots. The low thermal conductivity and decomposition temperature could enhance the formation and ignition of the hot spots, and initial decomposition reaction of TATB. The effect of the decomposition temperature is higher than that of the thermal conductivity on the shock initiation properties. The enhanced decomposition reaction could promote energy release and transfer process from the ignition to the combustion. This work offers a new insight to understand the effects of microstructure on the shock initiation properties and the initial response mechanism of TATB.     

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.     

Explosion temperature mapping of emulsion explosives containing TiH2 powders with the two-color pyrometer technique

In the study, the two-color pyrometer technique was used to measure the transient temperature field of emulsion explosives with different contents of TiH₂ powders. The experimental results showed that the introduction of TiH₂ powders could significantly increase the explosion temperature and fireball duration of emulsion explosive. When emulsion explosives were ignited, the average explosion temperature of pure emulsion explosive continuously decreased while emulsion explosives added with TiH₂ powders increased at first and then decreased. When the content of TiH₂ powders was 6 mass%, the explosion average temperature reached its maximum value of 3095 K, increasing by 43.7% as compared with that of pure emulsion explosive. In addition, the results of air blast experiment and explosion heat test showed that the variation trends of shock wave parameters, explosion heat and theoretical explosion temperature of emulsion explosives with different contents of TiH₂ powders were basically consistent with that of explosion temperature measured by the two-color pyrometer technique. In conclusion, the two-color pyrometer technique would be conducive to the formula design of emulsion explosive by understanding the explosion temperature characteristics.     

Shock initiation performance of NTO-based polymer bonded explosive

3-nitro-1,2,4-tri-azol-5-one (NTO) is a high energy insensitive explosive. To study the shock initiation process of NTO-based polymer bonded explosive JEOL-1 (32%octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), 32% NTO, 28% Al and 8% binder system), the cylinder test, the gap experiments and numerical simulation were carried out. Firstly, we got the detonation velocity (7746 m/s) and the parameters of Jones-Wilkins-Lee (JWL) equation of state (EOS) for detonation product by cylinder test and numerical simulation. Secondly, the Hugoniot curve of unreacted explosive for JEOL-1 was obtained calculating the data of pressure and time at different Lagrangian positions. Then the JWL EOS of unreacted explosive was obtained by utilizing the Hugoniot curve as the reference curve. Finally, we got the pressure growth history of JEOL-1 under shock wave stimulation and the parameters of the ignition and growth reaction rate equation were obtained by the pressure-time curves measured by the shock-initiation gap experiment and numerical simulation. The determined trinomial ignition and growth model (IG model) parameters can be applied to subsequently simulation analysis and design of insensitive ammunition with NTO-based polymer bonded explosive.     

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.     

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.     

Experimental and numerical study of the blast wave decrease using sandwich panel by granular materials core

Among the intrinsic properties of some materials, e.g., foams, porous materials, and granular materials, are their ability to mitigate shock waves. This paper investigated shock wave mitigation by a sandwich panel with a granular core. Numerical simulations and experimental tests were performed using Autodyn hydro-code software and a shock tube, respectively. The smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method was used to model granular materials. Sawdust and pumice, whose properties were determined by several compression tests, were used as granular materials in the sandwich panel core. These granular materials possess many mechanisms, including compacting (e.g., sawdust) and crushing (e.g., pumice) that mitigate shock/blast wave. The results indicated the ineffectiveness of using a core with low thickness, yet it was demonstrated to be effective with high thickness. Low-thickness pumice yielded better results for wave mitigation. The use of these materials with a core with appropriate core reduces up to 88% of the shock wave. The results of the experiments and numerical simulations were compared, suggesting a good agreement between the two. This indicates the accuracy of simulation and the ability of the SPH method to modeling granular material under shock loading. The effects of grain size and the coefficient of friction between grains have also been investigated using simulation, implying that increasing the grain size and coefficient of friction between grains both reduce overpressure.