High-energy explosive or propellant

Abstract: High-energetic explosive and propellant compositions having decreased detonation sensitivity are provided. To enhance the specific impulse of these formulations and ensure detonation desensitization, the highly-energetic oxidizer 1,9-dinitrato-2,4,6,8-tetranitrazanonane is utilized.

Description: This invention relates to high-energy explosive or propellant compositions, and is particularly directed to energetic formulations having reduced sensitivity to detonation and improved mass impetus. High-energy explosives and propellants are generally formulated utilizing a high-energy binder and oxidizer, together with suitable plasticizers. In prior formulations, high-energetic oxidizers such as cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX) have been utilized. However, such conventional oxidizers when utilized in explosives and solid propellants have detrimentally increased sensitivity to detonation. Accordingly, to maintain or improve the high energy potential or specific performance of explosives or propellant formulations and acceptable impetus levels while concurrently reducing detonation sensitivity, the present invention is directed to performance-improved, less detonation-sensitive formulations. The advantages of the present invention are realized in explosive and propellant formulations utilizing a select oxidizer in combination with high-energy constituents. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide improved high-energy explosive and propellant composites. Another object of the present invention is to provide high-energy explosive and propellant composite compositions having a lessened detonation sensitivity and enhanced specific performance. These and other objects and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description. The high-energy explosive and propellant composites or compositions of the present invention are characterized by the utilization of highly energetic and impact desensitized components, including a solid highly-energetic ingredient oxidizer 1,9-dinitrato-2,4,6,8-tetranitrazanonane. In addition to the aforementioned oxidizer, the propellant formulations or composites of the present invention also contain at least 20% by weight of a highly energetic plasticizer and at least 10% by weight of a polymeric binder, preferably a hydroxy-terminated aliphatic polyether binder. A preferred hydroxy-terminated aliphatic polyether binder (GAP) used in the practice of the present invention is disclosed and claimed in U.S. Patent 4,268,450 incorporated herein by reference. Known plasticizers which may be utilized in the high-energy explosive or propellant composites taught herein preferably include trimethylolethanetrinitrate and 4,4,4-trinitrobutyl nitrate. The solid highly-energetic oxidizer ingredient 1,9-dinitrato-2,4,6,8-tetranitrazanonane is further characterized in Table I below. In order to compare the high-energy explosive or propellant composites of the present invention with known composite formulations, Table II is provided hereinbelow. In Table II, formulations utilizing conventional highly-energetic oxidizer cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX) are compared to formulations utilizing the oxidizer 1,9-dinitrato-2,4,6,8-tetranitrazanonane (DNTNN) in combination with a suitable plasticizer (TMETN/TNBNT) and binder (GAP). As shown, the specific impulse of formulations defined by the use of the highly-energetic oxidizer ingredient of the present invention display a substantially higher specific impulse than the formulations utilizing the conventional HMX. wherein HMX and DNTNN are as defined above; TMETN is trimethylolethanetrinitrate; TNBNT is 4,4,4.trinitrobutyl nitrate; and GAP is glycidyl azide polymer.

Claims: A composite for use as a high-energy explosive or propellant comprising: (a) 1,9-dinitrato-2,4,6,8-tetranitrazanonane; and (b) a polymeric binder. A composite according to claim 1, including a plasticizer. A composite according to claim 1, wherein the ingredient 1,9-dinitrato-2,4,6,8-tetranitrazanonane comprises 70 weight percent of said composite. A composite according to claim 1, wherein said polymeric binder comprises 10 weight percent of said composite. A composite according to claim 1, wherein said polymeric binder is a hydroxy-terminated aliphatic polyether. A composite according to claim 2, wherein said plasticizer is selected from the group consisting of trimethylolethanetrinitrate and 4,4,4-trinitrobutyl nitrate. A composite according to claim 2, wherein said plasticizer comprises 20 weight percent of said composite. An explosive or propellant comprising a plasticizer, binder and oxidizer, wherein the oxidizer is 1,9-dinitrato-2,4,6,8-tetranitrazanonane.

Inventors: CUNNINGHAM MICHAEL ALAN, FRANKEL MILTON BERNARD, CUNNINGHAM, MICHAEL ALAN, FRANKEL, MILTON BERNARD
Applicants: ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL CORP, ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Application year: 1991
Main classification: C06B25
IPC codes: F42B3, C06B45, C06B25, C06D5