REDUCED SENSITIVITY MELT-CAST EXPLOSIVES

Abstract: This melt-cast explosive shares comparable explosive properties to those of COMP B explosives and is melt-pourable and castable under conditions comparable to those of COMP B explosives, but experiences less impact, shock, and thermal sensitivity and avoids the issues of toxicity associated with COMP B. A fundamental and well-accepted component of COMP B, <i>i.e.</i>, trinitrotoluene (TNT), is replaced with one or more mononitro-substituted or dinitro-substituted melt-cast binders, such as dinitroanisole, which can be melt cast without presenting the toxicity drawbacks experienced with the use of TNT. The melt-cast binder can also be combined with a processing aid selected from the group consisting of alkylnitroanilines and arylnitroanilines. Preferably, the composition also includes coarse oxidizer particles and energetic filler in fine particulate form.

Description: REDUCED SENSITIVITY MELT-CAST EXPLOSIVES RELATED APPLICATION Pπoπty is claimed of U S Provisional Application 60/171,490 filed in the U S Patent & Trademark Office on December 22, 1999 GOVERNMENT LICENSING CLAUSE The U S Government has a paid-up license in this invention and the πght in limited circumstances to require the patent owner to license others on reasonable terms as provided by the terms of DAAE30-97-C-1040 to Picat ny Arsenal BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1 Field of the Invention This invention relates to melt-cast explosives, and in particular to melt-cast explosives suitable for use in mortars, grenades, artillery shells, warheads, and antipersonnel mines 2 Descπption of the Related Art Melt-cast explosives based on a 2,4,6-tπnιtrotoluene (TNT) melt-cast binder have been used in a wide array of military applications Among the TNT-based compositions known for making melt-cast explosives, COMP B (also commonly refeπed to in the art as Composition B) is one of the more widely known and practiced Generally. COMP B compπses a mixture of TNT, RDX (1,3,5-tπnιtro- 1.3,5-tπaza-cyclohexane), and beeswax Although the precise concentrations of these ingredients may vary somewhat in industry practice, generally COMP B includes about 39 5 wt% TNT, about 59 5 wt% RDX class 1 (100 μm) and about 1 wt% wax COMP B is typically prepared by initially melting the TNT melt-cast binder, which has a relatively low melting temperature of about 81°C. RDX particles and wax (optionally pre-coated on the RDX particles) are then stirred into the melted TNT until a slurry or homogeneous dispersion is obtained The molten slurry can be poured into shells or casings for mortars, grenades, artillery, warheads, mines, and the like by a casting process, then allowed to cool and solidify The melt pourabi ty of COMP B is characteπstic of melt-cast explosives As widely acknowledged in the an, however, melt-cast explosives compositions such as COMP B have several drawbacks One of the most acknowledged of these drawbacks is the tendency of melt-cast explosives to shπnk and crack upon cooling Separation of the melt-cast explosive from its shell or casing and the formation of cracks within the explosive significantly increases the shock (or impact) sensitiv ιt\ of the melt-cast explosive Due to this increase in shock/impact sensitivity, melt-cast explosives made of COMP B and the like have been determined to lack sufficient predictability for some military applications In particular, such melt-cast explosives are particularly prone to premature detonation when used adjacent to an ordnance motoi Moreover, due to the high thermal sensitivity and toxicitv of TNT as a melt-cast binder safety precautions are often required in practicing melt-cast techniques thereby adding to manufactuπng costs, slowing production rates, and raising worker safety issues TNT is no longer produced domestically The pπmary reason is because the manufacture of TNT produces toxic by-products known as pink water Duπng the TNT puπfication process, the meta isomers produced duπng the nitration of toluene react with the sodium sulfite to produce water soluble, sulfated nitio toluene that is red and highly toxic The waste stream clean up is labor intensiv e thereby increasing cost significanth SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of this invention to address a significant need in the art bv providing a melt-cast explosiv e that shares comparable explosive properties to those of COMP B explosives and is melt-pourable and castable under conditions comparable to those of COMP B explosives, but expeπences less impact, shock, and thermal sensitiv ity and avoids the issues of toxicity associated with COMP B In accordance with the pπnciples of this invention, the above and other objects are attained bv replacing a fundamental and well-accepted component of COMP B i e , the tπmtrotoluene (TNT) melt-cast binder, with one or more mononitro- substituted arenes or dimtro-substituted arenes, such as dinitroanisole It has been discovered that monomtro-substituted and dimtro-substituted arenes such as dinitroamsole can be melt cast without presenting the toxicity drawbacks expeπenced with the use of TNT Additionally, many monomtro-substituted and dimtro- substituted arenes are lower in costs and more widely available than TNT. Mono tro- and dmitro-arenes are less detonable than tπ-nitrated arenes Therefore, the monomtro- and dinitro-arenes do not require the explosive transportation, storage, and packaging infrastructure that tπ-nitrated compounds, such as TNT. mandate. Generally, the use of monomtro-substituted and dimtro-substituted arenes in place of TNT for melt-cast compositions has been disfavored (if not overlooked) in the melt-casting art due to the lower energetic oxygen content of the mononitro- substituted and dimtro-substituted arenes compared to TNT. This drawback has been recognized and overcome by the inventors by the addition of coarse oxidizer particles to the melt-cast composition As referred to herein, coarse means particles having a granular appearance. The coarse oxidizer particles compensate for the energy loss experienced by the replacement of TNT with the less-energetic monomtro-substituted and/or dimtro-substituted arene melt-cast binder Further, relatively large coarse oxidizer particles reduce the shock, impact, and thermal sensitivities. Inorganic oxidizers are preferred. Additionally, the different melting points of monomtro-substituted and dimtro- substituted arenes from that of TNT have also disfavored the melt-cast binder substitution proposed by the inventors Melt casting requires heating of the melt-cast binder to a temperature higher than its melting point, so that the binder can be mixed with the energetic filler and cast by melt pouπng A typical and useful melting point range for the melt or pour piocess is 80°C to 110°C. However, melt-cast compositions should not be heated close to or above their autoigmtion temperatures, since the compositions will ignite automatically and generate an exothermic burn or explosion if heated to their autoigmtion temperatures. Preferably, a relatively wide "safety margin" is present between the melt temperature of the melt-cast binder and the autoigmtion temperature of the melt-cast composition TNT has a melting point of about 80 9°C. and COMP B has an autoigmtion temperature of 167°C. giving a reasonably wide safety margin between the binder melting temperature and the autoigmtion temperature On the other hand, many monomtro-substituted and dimtro- substituted arenes have melting points exceeding that of TNT, thereby narrowing the safety margin for melt casting. For example, dmitroamsole has a melting point of 94°C. The inventors have also discovered a way of overcoming this drawback by combining with the melt cast binder a processing aid selected from the group consisting of alkylnitroani nes and arylnitroanihnes. The processing aid combines with the melt-cast binder to lower the overall melting temperature of the melt-cast composition, preferably into a range of from 80°C to 90°C, while raising the autoigmtion temperature, preferably to about 149°C (300°F), of the composition to widen the safety margin. Additionally, in accordance with the present melt-cast composition the high impact and shock sensitivity commonly associated with melt-cast explosives such as COMP B is mitigated by providing at least a portion of the energetic filler (e.g.. RDX) in a fine powder form. It has been discovered by the inventors that the provision of the energetic filler in fine powder form lowers the shock and impact sensitivities of the melt-cast composition. Fine powders have high surface area relative to coarse mateπal. Fine powders stay suspended in the melt phase significantly better than coarse material and will not settle out of the binder as rapidly. This mitigates the formation of a surface rich melt phase and the formation of voids and cracks. This invention is also directed to ordnances and munitions in which the melt- cast composition of this invention can be used, including, by way of example, mortars, grenades, artillery shells, warheads, and antipersonnel mines. These and other objects, aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification and appended claims which, explain the pπnciples of this invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The melt-cast explosive of this invention includes at least the following, at least one monomtro-substituted and/or dimtro-substituted arene melt-cast binder; at least one N-alkylnitroanihne and/or N-arylnitroanihnes processing aid; coarse oxidizer particles, and an energetic filler (e.g. RDX and/or HMX) present at least in part as a fine powder. Generally, the melt-cast composition compπses from 25 wt% to 45 wt%, more preferably from 30 wt% to 40 wt%, and more preferably about 33.75 wt% of at least one melt-cast binder. Exemplary melt-cast binders suitable for this invention include monomtro-substituted and dimtro-substituted phenyl alkyl ethers having the following formula: w herein one or two members selected from R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , and R 3 are nitro (-NO ) groups, the remaining of Ri to R5 are the same or different and are preferably selected from -H, -OH. -NH 2 , NR 7 R S , an aryl group, or an -alkyl group(such as methyl), R f , is an alkyl group (preferably a methyl, ethyl, or propyl group), R 7 is hydrogen or an alkyl or aryl group, and Rg is hydrogen or an alkyl group. 2,4-dιnιtroanιsole (2,4-dιnιtrophenyl-methyl-ether) and 2,4-dιnιtrophenotole (2.4-dιmtrophenyl-ethyl-ether) are examples of di tro-substituted phenyl alkyl ethers suitable for use in the present melt-cast composition, while 4-methoxy-2-nιtrophenol is an example of an exemplary monomtro-substituted phenyl alkyl ether. 2,4-dιnιtroanιsole (DNAN) 2,4-dmιtrophenotole 4-methoxy-2-mtrophenol DNAN. along with fine, high surface area mateπal, has been found (and 2,4- dmitrophenotole and 4-methoxy-2-nιtrophenol are also believed) to exhibit less tendency to shπnk and crack than TNT The reduced shπnkage and cracking of DNAN is believed to be attπbutable to the fact that DNAN does not crystallize as easily as TNT duπng solidification that following melt casting. As referred to herein, arenes encompasses arene deπvatives such as phenols and aryl amines. For example, monomtro-substituted and dimtro-substituted arene melt-cast binders suitable for use with this invention include mtrophenols, such as meta-mtrophenol, para- trophenol, and 2-amιno-4-nιtrophenol; dimtrophenols, such as 2.4-dιnιtrophenol and 4.6-dιnιtro-o-cresol; mtrotoluene and dimtrotoluenes, such as 2.4-dιmtrotoluene; mononitroanihnes, such as ortho-nitroanihne, meta-nitroanihne, para-nitroani ne; and dimtroanilines. such as 2.4-dιmtroanιlιne and 2,6-dmιtroanιhne. As referred to herein, arenes also include polycvclic benzenoid aromaUcs such as monomtronaphthalenes and dimtronaphthalenes (e.g., 1 ,5-dιmtronapthalene). The monomtro-substituted and dimtro-substituted arenes generally have a much lower toxicity than TNT, particularly when the arenes do not contain -OH and or -NH 2 functionalities. Thus, in many instances the use of monomtro-substituted and dimtro-substituted arenes often simplifies handling and reduces the costs associated with manufactuπng the melt-cast explosive. The processing aid of this invention preferably is one or more N-alkyl- nitroani nes and/or N-aryl-nitroanihnes having the following formula: , wherein R 6 is hydrogen, R 7 is an unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbons (e.g., straight-chain alkyl, branched alkyl, cyclic alkyl. or aryl group), and at least one of Ri to R 5 is a nitro group, the remaining of R, to R 5 are the same or different and are preferably selected from -H, -OH, -NH , NRgR 9 , an aryl group, or an -alkyl group(such as methyl), Rg is hydrogen or an alkyl or aryl group, and R 9 is hydrogen or an alkyl group. Exemplary N-alkyl-nitroani ne processing aids include the following: NO NO , N-methyl-p-nitroanihne (MNA) N-ethyl-p-nitroamlme Examples of aryl-nitroanilme processing aids include the following: 4-mtrodιphenylamιne 2-mtrodιphenylamme The concentration of the processing aid is selected in order to widen the "safety margin" at which the melt-cast composition can be melt poured without significant threat of auto-ignition of the composition The processing aid generally acts to lower the melting point of the mixture of melt-cast binder and processing aid towards (but not necessaπly to) its eutectic point. By controlling the amount of the processing aid, the melting point of the mixture of melt-cast binder and processing aid can be adjusted into a range of 80°C to 1 10°C that generally characteπzes melt-cast mateπals. More preferably, the melting point is adjusted to 80°C to 90°C, and more preferably about 86°C Simultaneously, the processing aid has been found to raise the auto-ignition (or exotherm) temperature of the melt-cast composition, thereby widening the safety margin between the melting temperature and the auto-ignition temperature of the melt-cast composition. While not wishing to be bound by any theory, it is postulated that there is a possibility that the processing aid may also impart a secondary benefit of functioning as a NO scavenger. The concentration ot the processing aid can be selected by taking into account the amount of melt-cast binder in the overall melt-cast composition, the puπty of the melt-cast binder, and the nitrogen content of the melt-cast binder Generally, the melt-cast composition can include from about 0.15 wt% to about 1 wt% processing aid based on the total weight of the melt-cast composition More than 1 wt lower the temperature of the melt-cast binder/processing aid mixture below about 80°C Representative inorganic mateπals that can be used as the coarse oxidizer particles in the present melt-cast explosive composition include perchlorates. such as potassium perchlorate, sodium perchlorate. and ammonium perchlorate; and nitrates, such as potassium nitrate, sodium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, copper nitrate (Cu 2 (OH) 3 N0 3 , and hvdroxvlammonium nitrate (HAN); ammonium dimtramide (ADN): and hydrazinium mtroformate (HNF) Organic oxidizers having excess amounts of oxygen available for oxidizing the melt-cast binder can also be used An example of a suitable organic oxidizer is CL-20. The coarse particles preferably having particle diameters, on average, on the order of from about 20 μm to about 600μm, more preferably 200 μm to 400μm, and still more preferably about 400 μm Particles having an a erage diameter of less than about 20μm are DoD/DoT explosiv e class 1 1 , and therefore highly detonable and sensitive. The coarse oxidizer particles preferably constitute fiom 10 wt% to 55 wt%. more preferably from 20 wt% to 45 wt , and still more preferably about 35 wt% of the overall melt-cast composition. Similar to COMP B. which contains RDX as an energetic filler, the melt-cast explosive composition of this invention also contains at least one energetic filler. In the present melt-cast explosive composition, the energetic filler can be RDX, a mtramme other than RDX. or a combination of RDX and other mtrammes. Representative mtrammes that may be used in accordance with this invention include l,3,5,7-tetramtro-1.3,5,7-tetraaza-cycloocatane (HMX), 2,4,6, 8,10, 12-hexamtro- 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetracyclo-[5.5.0 0 5 9 0 3,1 1 ]-dodecane (HNIW), and 4,10-dιmtro- 2.6,8,12-tetraoxa-4,10-dιazatetracyclo-[5.5.0.0 5 9 0 3 π ]-dodecane (TEX). In addition or as an alternative to the use of these mtrammes, other energetic mateπals can be used in the present melt-cast composition, including, by way of example, nitroguamdine (NQ), l,3,5-tπammo-2,4,6-tπnιtrobenzene (TATB), l, l-dιamιno-2,2- dinitro ethane (DADNE), 1,3,3-tπmtroazetιdιne (TNAZ), and 3-nιtro-l,2,4-tπazol-5- one (NTO). The overall weight percentage of the melt-cast explosive composition attπbuted to the energetic filler is preferably not more than 60 wt%, more preferably in a range of from 20 wt% to 60 wt%, more preferably in a range of from 30 wt% to 40 wt% It has been discovered by the inventors that the shock and impact sensitivity of the melt-cast explosive can be reduced by including a substantial portion of the energetic filler in a fine powder form, preferably having particle sizes in a range of from about 2μm to about lOμm, more preferably about 2 μm. However, an excess amount of fine powder energetic filler in the melt-cast composition can adversely affect the pourabi ty of the composition. Generally, about 18 wt% to about 54 wt% of the composition should be fine powder energetic filler. The remainder of the energetic filler in the melt-cast composition can have larger particle sizes, such as on the order of about 100 μm, to ensure that the composition remains melt-pourable. According to one preferred embodiment, the composition compπses 34 wt% dinitioamsole (DNAN). 0.25 wt% N-methyl-p-nitroanihne (MNA), 30 wt7o of 400μm ammonium perchlorate (AP), 5 wt% of lOOμm RDX. and 30.75 wt% of 2 μm RDX. Additional ingredients can also be introduced into the melt-cast composition of this invention For example, a particularly desirable additional ingredient compπses reactive metals, such as aluminum, magnesium, boron, titanium, zirconium, silicon, and mixtures thereof. Reactive metals are particularly useful in applications in which the melt-cast explosive is submerged or otherwise exposed to amounts of water. Preferably, the melt-cast composition of this invention is substantially free of polymeπc binders conventionally found in pressable and extrudable energetic mateπals. since an undue amount of these polymenc binders can lower the energy (especially for non-energetic polymer binders) and reduce the melt pourabi ty (by increasing the viscosity) of the melt-cast explosive. EXAMPLES The following examples illustrate embodiments which have been made in accordance with the present invention. Also set forth are comparative examples prepared for compaπson purposes The inventive embodiments are not exhaustive or exclusive, but merely representative of the invention. Unless otherwise indicated, all parts are by weight Examples 1 and 2 were prepared as follows. The dinitroamsole (DNAN) was intioduced into a melt kettle and heated to melt the DNAN into a liquid state. The processing aid N-methyl-p-nitroani ne (MNA) was also added at this time. While stirπng, the fine RDX was added at a sufficiently slow rate to facilitate thorough wetting of the RDX fine powder. The coarse RDX was then added by stirπng, followed by the ammonium perchlorate inorganic oxidizer, which was also added while stirπng. Once homogeneous, stirnng was increased for another hour, then poured into an ordnance and allowed to cool at ambient conditions. Comparative Example A and COMP B were prepared under similar conditions, but without the processing aid TABLE I The card gap test measures shock sensitivity by loading a sample into a card gap pipe and setting off an explosive pπmer a predetermined distance from the sample. The space between the pπmer and the explosive charge is filled with an inert mateπal such as PMMA (polymethylmethacrylate). The distance is expressed in cards, where 1 card is equal to 0.01 inch (0.0254 cm), such that 100 cards equals 1 inch (2.54 cm). If the sample does not explode at 100 cards, for example, then the explosive is nondetonable at 100 cards. Thus, the lower the card value, the lower the shock sensitivity. Example 1 exhibited a card gap value of 155. which is almost 20% lower than Comparative Example A (188 cards) and more than 20% lower than COMP B (203 cards). Additionally, a compaπson of Example 2 and Comparative Example A shows that the presence of MNA in the inventive composition lowered the melting temperature and raised the exotherm temperature, while not adversely affecting card gap. Hence, the "safety margin" at which Example 2 can be melt cast is increased by 30°C over that of Comparative Example A. The foregoing detailed descπption of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been provided for the purpose of explaining the pπnciples of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for vaπous embodiments and with vaπous modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The foregoing detailed descπption is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiments disclosed. Modifications and equivalents will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art and are encompassed within the spiπt and scope of the appended claims.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS. 1. A melt-cast explosive composition compπsmg. at least one melt-cast binder compπsing at least one member selected from the group consisting ot monomtro-substituted aienes and dimtro-substituted arenes, at least one processing aid compπsing at least one member selected from the group consisting of N-alkylnitroamhnes and N-arylnitroanihnes, said processing aid and said melt-cast binder forming a mixture having a melting temperature in a range of from about 80°C to about 110°C, coarse oxidizer particles having, on average, diameters in a range of from about 20 μm to about 600 μm. and fine particles compπsing at least one energetic filler, said fine particles having, on average, diameters in a range of from about 2 μm to about 10 μm, wherein said melt-cast explosive composition is melt-pourable at at least one temperature in the range of from about 80°C to about 1 10°C 2. The melt-cast explosive composition of claim 1, wherein said arene compπses at least one member selected from the group consisting of mtrotoluenes, dinitrotoluenes, and dinitronaphthalenes 3 The melt-cast explosive composition of claim 1 , wherein said arene is further substituted and compπses at least one member selected from the group consisting of mtrophenols, dmitrophenols. mononitroamhnes, and dinitroanihnes 4. The melt-cast explosive composition of claim 1 , wherein said energetic filler compπses at least one member selected from the group consisting of 1,3,5- tπnιtro-l,3,5-tπaza-cyclohexane (RDX), 1.3.5,7-tetranιtro-l,3,5,7-tetraaza- cycloocatane (HMX), 2,4,6,8, 10,12-hexamtro-2,4,6, 8, 10,12- hexaazatetracyclo[5.5.0 0 5 9 0 3 "jdodecane (HNIW), 4,10-dιnιtro-2,6,8,12-tetraoxa- 4,10-dιazatetracyclo-[5 5 0 0 5 9 0 3 "]-dodecane (TEX), mtroguamdine (NQ), 1,3,5- tπammo-2,4,6-tπnιtrobenzene (TATB), 1 l-dιamιno-2,2-dιnιtro ethane (DADNE), 1,3,3-tπmtroazetιdme (TNAZ). and 3-mtro-l,2,4-tπazol-5-one (NTO) 5 The melt-cast explosive composition of claim 1, wherein said coarse oxidizer particles compπse at least one member selected from the group consisting of inorganic perchlorates and inorganic nitrates 6 The melt-cast explosive composition of claim 5, wherein said energetic fillei compπses 1,3,5-tπmtro-l 3,5-tπaza-cyclohexane (RDX) 7 The melt-cast explosive composition of claim 6, wherein said processing aid compπses at least one N-alkyl-nitroanihne 8 The melt-cast explosive composition of claim 6, wherein said processing aid compπses N-methyl-nitroanihne 9 A melt-cast explosive composition compπsing at least one melt-cast binder compπsing at least one member selected fiom the group consisting of monomtro-substituted and dimtro-substituted phenyl alkyl ethers, at least one processing aid compπsing at least one member selected from the group consisting of N-alkylnitroamlines and N-arylmtroanihnes, said processing aid and said melt-cast binder forming a mixture having a melting temperature in a range of from about 80°C to about 110°C, coarse oxidizer particles having, on average, diameters in a range of from about 20 μm to about 600 μm. and fine particles compπsing at least one energetic filler, said fine particles having, on average, diameters in a range of from about 2 μm to about 10 μm, wherein said melt-cast explosive composition is melt-pourable at at least one temperature in the range of from about 80°C to about 110°C. 10 The melt-cast explosive composition of claim 9, wherein said melt-cast binder compπses at least one member selected from the group consisting of 2,4- dinitroamsole, 2,4-dιnιtrophenotole, and 4-methoxy-2-mtrophenol. 11. The melt-cast explosive composition of claim 9, wherein said melt-cast binder compπses 2,4-dιnιtroanιsole. 12. The melt-cast explosive composition of claim 9, wherein said energetic filler compπses at least one member selected from the group consisting of 1,3,5- tπnιtro-l,3,5-tπaza-cyclohexane (RDX), 1, 3,5, 7-tetramtro- 1,3,5, 7-tetraaza- cycloocatane (HMX), 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanιtro-2,4,6,8, 10,12- hexaazatetracyclo[5.5.0.0 5,9 0 3 "]dodecane (HNIW), 4,10-dιmtro-2,6,8,12-tetraoxa- 4,10-dιazatetracyclo-[5.5.0.0 5 ' 9 0 3 n ]-dodecane (TEX), mtroguamdine (NQ), 1,3,5- tπamιno-2,4,6-tπnιtrobenzene (TATB), l .l-dιamιno-2,2-dιmtro ethane (DADNE), 1,3.3-tπnιtroazetιdιne (TNAZ), and 3-nιtro-l,2,4-tπazol-5-one (NTO). 13. The melt-cast explosive composition of claim 9, wherein said coarse oxidizer particles compπse at least one member selected from the group consisting of inorganic perchlorates and inorganic nitrates. 14. The melt-cast explosive composition of claim 13, wherein said energetic filler compπses l ,3,5-tπnιtro-1.3,5-tπaza-cyclohexane (RDX). 15. A melt-cast explosive composition compπsing: at least one melt-cast binder compπsing at least one member selected from the group consisting of monomtro-substituted and dimtro-substituted phenyl alkyl ethers; at least one processing aid compπsing at least one N-alkylnitroanihnes, said processing aid and said melt cast binder forming a mixture having a melting temperature in a range of from about 80°C to about 110°C; coarse particles compπsing at least one inorganic oxidizer, said coarse particles having, on average, diameters in a range of from about 20 μm to about 600 μm; and fine particles compπsing at least one energetic filler, said fine particles having, on average, diameters in a range of from about 2 μm to about 10 μm, wherein said melt-cast explosive composition is melt-pourable at at least one temperature in the range of from about 80°C to about 1 10°C. 16. The melt-cast explosive composition of claim 15, wherein said processing aid compπses N-methyl-nitroam ne. 17. The melt-cast explosive composition of claim 16, wherein said melt- cast binder compπses at least one member selected from the group consisting of 2,4- dinitroamsole, 2.4-dιnιtrophenotole. and 4-methoxy-2-mtrophenol. 18. The melt-cast explosive composition of claim 16, wherein said melt- cast binder compπses 2,4-dιnιtroanιsole. 19. The melt-cast explosive composition of claim 18, wherein said inorganic oxidizer compπses at least one member selected from the group consisting of inorganic perchlorates and inorganic nitrates. 20 The melt-cast explosive composition of claim 19, wherein said energetic filler compπses 1.3.5-tπnιtro-l,3.5-tπaza-cyclohexane (RDX) 21 The melt-cast explosive composition of claim 20, wherein said inorganic oxidizer compπses ammonium perchlorate

Inventors: DOLL DANIEL W, HANKS JAMI M, HIGHSMITH THOMAS K, LUND GARY K, DOLL, DANIEL, W., HANKS, JAMI, M., HIGHSMITH, THOMAS, K., LUND, GARY, K.
Applicants: CORDANT TECH INC, CORDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Application year: 2000
Main classification: C06B25
IPC codes: C06B21, C06B25, C06B29, F42B5