Study of the Elaboration of HMX and HMX Composites by the Spray Flash Evaporation Process

Abstract

The Spray Flash Evaporation (SFE) process invented and developed at the NS3E laboratory allows obtaining different nanosized explosives (TNT, RDX, CL‐20…). This process is based on the very fast evaporation of the solvent due to the drastic modification of pressure and temperature leading to the crystallization of the molecules present in solution into nanometric or submicrometric particles. Here, we show the possibility to prepare pure HMX (Octahydro‐1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocine) or HMX based composites at the nanoscale using this process. This study mainly focuses on the size, morphology and crystallographic phases obtained for HMX and HMX/TNT composites depending on the experimental conditions (temperature, pressure, solution concentration…) used during the elaboration. For this purpose, the results obtained from scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy are discussed.

Safe Fabrication and Characterization of NC/CL‐20/CnMs Nanoenergetic Composite Materials via Modified Sol‐Gel

“…[19] Up to now, many methods have been utilized to prepare nEMs, such as sol-gel technology, mechanical grinding method, solvent/non-solvent and spraying evaporation and supercritical fluid technology, new type methods including spraying flash evaporation and so on. [20][21][22][23][24][25] Synthesis of nEMs using sol-gel chemistry is performed in solution, possessing more convenience than conventional methods in low-temperature preparation, easy to be controled over the stoichiometry and homogeneity. Therefore, various nEMs have been prepared by sol-gel technology, including (annonium perchlotate) AP/ RDX/SiO 2 , HMX-AP-SiO 2 , (Resorcinol-formaldehyde) RF/RDX, HMX/AP/RF and so on.…”

Tuning the Oxygen Balance of Energetic Composites: Crystallization of ADN/Secondary Explosives Mixtures by Spray Flash Evaporation

“…A further strategy to enhance energetic performances and sensitivity thresholds of secondary explosives is the formulation of composite materials. Desensitization of energetic compounds is enabled for instance by combining secondary explosives with polymers [12][13][14], with further secondary explosives [15,16], with metal oxides [17] or with graphite or nanodiamonds [18,19]. The formulation of such composites improves the mechanical stability, and decreases sensitivity against friction, impact and ESD [18].…”

Preparation of Microspherical Ph−Fe/RDX(HMX) Composite Particles and their Thermal Decomposition Behaviors

“…[27] Denis Spitzer et al demonstrated the continuous preparation of pharmaceutical (Caffeine/Oxalic acid, Caffeine/Glutaric acid) and energetic (CL-20/TNT, CL-20/HMX) micro-and nano-cocrystals using the spray flash evaporation (SFE) process. [28] Vincent Pichot et al studied the elaboration of TNT, HMX, and HMX composites by the SFE process [29,30]. (2,4-DHB) nM micro-nano spheres that could catalyze the thermal decomposition of AP were successfully produced by ultrasonic spray drying technology [31].…”