NTO-based Melt-cast Insensitive Compositions

Abstract

This paper presents research on insensitive melt-cast explosive compositions based on 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO) and containing TNT, wax, Al and RDX. The viscosity of the compositions in the operating temperature range was measured. Thermal analysis was performed as well as thermal stability and sensitivity to mechanical and thermal stimuli were tested. The detonation parameters were also determined. Finally, the acceleration ability (Gurney energy) and the JWL coefficients for the detonation products were established.

A Melt-Cast Composition Based on NTO and FOX-7

“…SEM images of the NTO used are shown in Figure 4 and the particle size distribution is presented in Figure 5. The loose bulk density of NTO was 1.0 g/cm 3 whereas the shaken one was 1.11 g/cm 3 . Its impact sensitivity was E 50 = 61 J, while the friction sensitivity was greater than 360 N. Fine aluminum powder (mesh sieve of 325, particle size of less than 44 μm, purity 99.5%) was also used.…”

“…RDX (XF ® 11585) or HMX (XF ® 12366) have been added to increase the detonation parameters of NTO-based compositions [1]. Other melt-cast compositions containing spheroidal particles of NTO were developed on a laboratory scale in Poland [3]. The crystallization product was screened through sieves of mesh 160 μm and 300 μm and particles from this size range were used.…”

“…In turn the appearance of small particles in the distribution may be caused by their adhering to the larger particles during sieving through the 160 µm sieve. The bulk density of the sieved FOX-7 was measured using the glass cylinder technique with a volume of 12.27 cm 3 . Mean values of 0.858 g/cm 3 and 0.987 g/cm 3 were obtained for the loose and the shaken bulk density, respectively.…”

“…The bulk density of the sieved FOX-7 was measured using the glass cylinder technique with a volume of 12.27 cm 3 . Mean values of 0.858 g/cm 3 and 0.987 g/cm 3 were obtained for the loose and the shaken bulk density, respectively. The impact sensitivity E 50 = 33.5 J was determined using a BAM apparatus and the Bruceton method [9], while the friction sensitivity on a Julius-Peters apparatus was greater than 360 N.…”

“…The density of the cast charges of the composition varied from 1.71 g/cm 3 to 1.74 g/cm 3 . In order to confirm the lack of cavities inside the charges, X-ray images were taken.…”