Energetic Materials: Crystallization, Characterization and Insensitive Plastic Bonded Explosives

Heijden, A.E.D.M. van der; Creyghton, Y.; Marino, E.; Bouma, R.H.B.; Scholtes, Gert; Duvalois, Willem; Roelands, M.

doi:10.1002/prep.200800204

Cited by 40 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…All samples contain large and distinguishable voids, although their number density may differ. Especially K6 and to a lesser extent K1 contain ‘greyish’ areas, which might be related to the presence of many small inclusions localized in a small volume in the crystal (Watt et al ., ; Van der Heijden et al ., ). The source of the RDX crystals, shock initiation pressure, crystal density and impurity content are reproduced in Table (Watt et al ., ; Doherty & Watt, ).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, no conclusive argument could be made regarding a measurable and crystal quality related property, and the shock sensitivity of a cast PBX. Additional research was carried out at the crystal level using line broadening in nuclear quadrupole resonance (Doherty et al ., ) and in X‐ray diffraction (Förter‐Barth et al ., ), a modified differential scanning calorimetric method (Spyckerelle, ; Spyckerelle et al ., ), SEM applied to cleaved crystal surfaces (Van der Heijden et al ., ; Van der Heijden & Bouma, ), impact testing with a ballistic impact chamber (Bouma et al ., ) and nanoindentation (Hudson et al ., ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Microscopic characterization of defect structure in RDX crystals

Bouma¹,

Duvalois²,

Heijden

2013

Journal of Microscopy

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Summary Three batches of the commercial energetic material RDX, as received from various production locations and differing in sensitivity towards shock initiation, have been characterized with different microscopic techniques in order to visualize the defect content in these crystals. The RDX crystals are embedded in an epoxy matrix and cross‐sectioned. By a treatment of grinding and polishing of the crystals, the internal defect structure of a multitude of energetic crystals can be visualized using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and confocal scanning laser microscopy. Earlier optical micrographs of the same crystals immersed in a refractive index matched liquid could visualize internal defects, only not in the required detail. The combination of different microscopic techniques allows for a better characterization of the internal defects, down to inclusions of approximately 0.5 μm in size. The defect structure can be correlated to the sensitivity towards a high‐amplitude shock wave of the RDX crystals embedded in a polymer bonded explosive. The obtained experimental results comprise details on the size, type and quantity of the defects. These details should provide modellers with relevant and realistic information for modelling defects in energetic materials and their effect on the initiation and propagation of shock waves in PBX formulations.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Microscopic characterization of defect structure in RDX crystals

Bouma¹,

Duvalois²,

Heijden

2013

Journal of Microscopy

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“…Their results showed that reducing the particle size of explosive crystals in plastic bonded explosives decreased sensitivity to impact initiation. Another important finding indicated that the influence of particle size on the impact initiation can only be observed when particle size is sufficiently small, even less than 50 nm [15].…”

Section: Comparing Laser and Impact Ignition Energiesmentioning

confidence: 98%

Impact sensitivity of intermetallic nanocomposites: A study on compositional and bulk density

Hunt¹,

Pantoya²

2010

Intermetallics

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“…For energetic materials it is thought that the initiation of an explosion can be caused by an unintentional shock wave hitting a defect upon its propagation through a crystal. It has been demonstrated that the higher the product quality of a solid energetic material, the less sensitive a plastic-bonded explosive containing this energetic material becomes [2]. A reduced sensitivity means that the detonation threshold is higher which would prevent unintentional detonations, therefore, these explosives are safer to handle.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Electrospray Crystallization for High‐Quality Submicron‐Sized Crystals

et al. 2011

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Nano-and submicron-sized crystals are too small to contain inclusions and are, therefore, expected to have a higher internal quality compared to conventionally sized particles (several tens to hundreds of microns). Using electrospray crystallization, nano-and submicron-sized crystals can be easily produced. With the aid of electrospray crystallization, a mist of ultrafine solution droplets is generated and subsequent solvent evaporation leads to crystallization of submicron-sized crystals. Using cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) solutions in acetone, the conditions for a stable and continuous jet were established. At relatively small nozzle diameters and relatively low potential differences, hollow spheres of RDX crystals were observed. At a higher nozzle diameter and potential difference and in the region of a continuous jet, RDX crystals with an average size of around 400 nm could be produced. In order to test the quality of the submicron-sized energetic material, impact and friction sensitivity tests were carried out. The test results indicate that the submicron-sized product had reduced friction sensitivity, indicating a higher internal quality of the crystalline product.

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Energetic Materials: Crystallization, Characterization and Insensitive Plastic Bonded Explosives

Cited by 40 publications

References 3 publications

Microscopic characterization of defect structure in RDX crystals

Microscopic characterization of defect structure in RDX crystals

Impact sensitivity of intermetallic nanocomposites: A study on compositional and bulk density

Electrospray Crystallization for High‐Quality Submicron‐Sized Crystals

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