Quantitative Environmental Assessment of Explosive Residues from the Detonation of Insensitive High Explosive Filled 155 mm Artillery Shell

Abstract

Insensitive High-Explosive (IHE) typically comprises up to five constituents including 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN), 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO), and 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX), which are mixed in various ratios to achieve desired performance and increase insensitivity. Insensitive munitions, which are designed to detonate on command and not accidentally, are currently in use in military operations and training areas around the world. However, there is minimal literature available on the physiochemical behavior of these materials in the environment, therefore the actual consequence of residues being deposited post-detonation is still an unexplored area of research. Three 155 mm artillery shells filled with an IHE mixture of 53 % NTO, 32 % DNAN, and 15 % RDX were detonated in an inert sand arena to collect and quantify residues. Post detonation, approximately 0.02 % NTO, and 0.07 % DNAN were deposited in the environment which may rapidly accumulate dependent on the number of rounds fired. This is of concern due to the toxicity of DNAN and its degradation products, and the potential for increased acidity of soil and discoloration of watercourses from NTO contamination.

Representation of live‐fire energetic residues from insensitive mortar munitions using command‐detonation testing

“…As a large mass endmember to the IMX‐104 mortar munitions, Persico et al. [31] performed CD on 155 mm projectiles filled with 11.2 kg of IMX‐104 and sampled residues deposited on sand; however, NTO was found to be relatively minor (71–762 mg/projectile) compared to DNAN (230–2630 mg/projectile), and no residual RDX was detected.…”

“…Walsh et al [3] also observed a scaling effect in Composition B residues from the live fire of 60 mm, 81 mm, and 120 mm mortar cartridges, although these munitions used different fuzes with differing booster charges. As a large mass endmember to the IMX-104 mortar munitions, Persico et al [31] performed CD on 155 mm projectiles filled with 11.2 kg of IMX-104 and sampled residues deposited on sand; however, NTO was found to be relatively minor (71-762 mg/projectile) compared to DNAN (230-2630 mg/projectile), and no residual RDX was detected.…”

Facilitated explosion of nitro compounds confined in metal–organic frameworks

“…37,38 However, because TNT has a low vapor pressure, it can be easily released into the atmosphere during the preparation or destruction of artillery shells, resulting in the contamination of water and soil. 39,40 Moreover, TNT is poisonous and causes skin irritation and harmful effects on the immune system. 41,42 In this regard, although TNT sensing with MOFs has been intensively investigated, studies reporting on the change in the characteristics of TNT using MOFs have been scarce despite the considerable difference in electron density between them.…”

Improved corrosion resistance and thermal stability of insensitive NTO explosives by MXene modification in the presence of non-covalent bonds

“…6,7 NTO with a theoretical detonation velocity of 8500 m s À1 exhibits energy comparable to 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX), along with weak toxicity, simple preparation as well as low sensitivity, which has attracted more and more attention in the field of propellants and mixed explosives. [8][9][10] However, active hydrogen bonds in the molecular structure of NTO lead to strong acidity, and the corrosiveness to metals severely restricts the loading and application of ammunition. 11,12 Therefore, acid inhibition technology is generally regarded as an effective method to realize the broad development prospects of NTO.…”