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The Effect of Wax Coating Aluminum and Ammonium Perchlorat - 2017 - Defence Tec
The Effect of Wax Coating Aluminum and Ammonium Perchlorat - 2017 - Defence Tec
Defence Technology
journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/dt
a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t
Article history: Interaction of 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane (HMX)/ammonium perchlorate (AP) and its effect on
Received 12 March 2017 mechanical sensitivity may result in some restrictions for the application of AP/HMX system in high
Received in revised form energetic weapon system. In this work, impact sensitivity test is used to study the effects of wax coating
9 May 2017
of HMX, AP and aluminum (Al) powder on sensitivity properties of HMX/AP/Al mixtures.
Accepted 26 May 2017
Thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) analysis has been developed to investi-
Available online 28 May 2017
gate the mechanism of interaction between HMX and AP during the course of thermal decomposition of
HMX/AP/Al mixtures. The results show that severe interaction effect exists between AP and HMX, which
Keywords:
Interaction
causes the impact sensitivity (H50) to become smaller. The impact energy (E50) of mixture can be
HMX/AP/Al mixtures improved under the circumstances of effective separating HMX from AP by surface coating with Wax. AP
Impact sensitivity may firstly engender low-temperature decomposition under the circumstance of external heat or me-
Thermal decomposition chanical impact, which causes the exothermic peak of HMX forward shift about 28 C. The gaseous
product releasing from thermal decomposition of HMX accelerates further decomposition of AP. For
HMX/AP composite system, the interactive catalysis effect between AP and HMX can be eliminated
mostly by adding a great deal of Al powder (i.e. above 30%).
© 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dt.2017.05.022
2214-9147/© 2017 Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Y.-b. LI et al. / Defence Technology 13 (2017) 422e427 423
highest at the mass ratio of 1:1. However, experimental results and reagents used in this study were commercially purchased and
about interaction affecting the sensitivity of mixtures were seldom used without further purification.
reported, and hence it is necessary to make a comprehensive study
on interaction between HMX and AP on the sensitivity of HMX/AP 2.2. Preparation
mixture, and fully understand the underlying catalytic
mechanisms. A precipitation technique was used to coat HMX, AP or Al by
Nowadays, attention has been paid to improvement of sensi- using Wax as coating agent via a water-suspension solvent-evap-
tivity properties of composite explosives with maintained high oration process. 98.0 g HMX particles were firstly added into
energy density. An effective method is to coat sensitive energetic distilled water to get a suspension under mechanical agitation
fillers with low-sensitive or inert materials [10]. Up to now, coating (450 rpm). At this time, 2.0 g Wax was dissolved to acquire uniform
with wax is still the most impactful and convenient desensitizing dispersion by using petroleum ether as a good solvent. Then, the
mean for high explosive though it is not new. Manning and Thelma solution containing desensitizing agent was added to HMX slurry
[11] used graphite to coat RDX fillers by solvent-evaporation and under stirring at 54 C, and the vacuum (200 mbar) was introduced
investigated its application in composite explosives. After such for several minutes. Finally, the Coated HMX products were filtered,
surface coating, drop height (H50) of RDX and RDX-containing washed by distilled water and dried under vacuum for 6 h. Coated
composite explosives increased by 40% and 115%, respectively. For AP and Al samples were prepared similarly via solvent suspension
nitroamine explosive used in a composite, best coating material process by using a non-aqueous liquid as suspension media. Coated
should be selected from its ingredients [12]. For instance, An et al. samples were marked as HMXW, APW and AlW, respectively.
[13] used nitrocellulose (NC) to coat nitroamine explosive by a new In addition, physical mixtures of HMX, AP and Al or their coated
slurry emulsion coating method. Compared to propellants made samples with different mass ratio were prepared by mixing two or
with raw RDX, the safety and processing technology of propellants three ingredients in a carnelian mortar for 10 min, and then used to
using coated RDX are all improved. However, there are still two test.
limitations for this coating method: 1) energy will decrease greatly
if coating materials is higher than 5%, and 2) coated particles can 2.3. Characterization
easily form agglomerates. Thereby, some new coating materials and
new coating techniques need to be developed to obtain better The morphologies of HMX, Al, AP and their coated samples were
desensitizing effect with less coating agent [14]. observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM, Hitachi TM-1000,
The sensitivity of composite explosives was demonstrated to be Japan), shown in Fig. 1. Obviously, the surface of coated HMX
strongly dependent on the nature of the ingredients, in particular (Fig. 1(b)) and coated AP (Fig. 1(f)) are sleeker than the uncoated
their physiomechanical and thermophysical properties [15e18]. For sample (Fig. 1(a), e). As for the global Al powder, the surface
example, there are many open literature with regard to the sensi- differentia of coated sample (Fig. 1(d)) is not distinct in comparison
tivity and stability of the HMX based explosives [19e21]. Besides, if with the original sample (Fig. 1(c)), ascribing to its lesser particle
some of the ingredients have high thermal conductivity or lubri- size.
cating effect, sensitivity of composites would be relative low. Impact sensitivity was tested by a WL-1 type drop-hammer
Gogulya [22] confirmed that impact sensitivity of composite apparatus. Each sample (35 mg) was subjected to an impact of a
explosive was decreased visibly along with the addition of Al 5 kg hammer at various heights using a widely used “up-and-
powder. However, their attention was not further focus on the ef- down” method. If sample initiates/does not initiate, next trial will
fect of Al powder on nitroamine explosive/oxidant system. How to be performed one step lower/higher. Based on 25 go/no-go trials,
eliminate interactional effect between explosive and oxidant, impact sensitivity of each sample was expressed by drop height of
harmonize contradiction between high energy of ammunition and 50% explosion probability (H50) and impact energy (E50). In this
its excellent security, becomes a key issue which must be solved for way, higher E50 or H50 value represents lower impact sensitivity.
designing of high energy but insensitive ammunition. Thermogravimetry (TG) test of sample was recorded on a TAQ
In this paper, safety characteristics of key ingredients in com- 600 instrument (TA, USA), and differential scanning calorimeter
posite explosives, interaction among these ingredients (HMX, AP (DSC) test was recorded on a TAQ100 instrument (TA, USA), from
and Al) and its effect on safety were investigated in detail. The 30 C to 500 C with a temperature rise rate of 10 C min1, in a
mechanism of interaction among these ingredients is elucidated nitrogen atmosphere (50 mL min1). The alumina crucible was
from a view of thermal decomposition arose by the creation of hot selected as the sample pan.
spots during impact-loading. The effect of wax coating and addition
of Al on the sensitivity of HMX/AP mixture were also explored 3. Results and discussion
sequentially from the point of eliminating the interactive catalysis
effect. The results of this paper may provide a useful information 3.1. Effect of wax coating on sensitivity of HMX/AP mixture
and guidance for researchers in designing powerful insensitive
ammunitions. Fig. 2 displays the results of impact sensitivity for pure or coated
HMX, AP and their physically mixed samples (mass ratio 50/50). It
2. Experimental section is clear that pure HMX is very sensitive towards impact, which E50
value is only 8.2 J. After coated by wax, the sensitivity of HMX can
2.1. Materials be visibly reduced, E50 value increases to 40.1 J. Pure AP is moderate
sensitive towards impact, and after coated by wax its sensitivity is
HMX (Gansu Yinguang Chemical Industry Group Co., Ltd., slightly declined, E50 value increased from 24.9 J to 35.4 J. For mixed
Baiyin, China) used was of industrial grade with an average particle sample, there is a wondrous phenomenon. Whether original or
size of 30 mm. AP (Dalian Potassium Chlorate Factory, Dalian, China) coated samples, all E50 value of the mixtures descend markedly
used was of industrial grade with a mean size of 120 mm. Average compared with that of single ingredient. For instance, E50 of HMX/
particle sizes of Al powders used were 13 mm (Southwest of China AP is only 5.3 J, far less than that of pure HMX (8.2 J) or AP (24.9 J).
Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd., China, 98.8%). Wax was provided in Similarly, E50 of HMX/APW (7.3 J) is also lower than that of pure
refined mode by Fushun Petrochemical Co., Ltd. Other chemicals HMX or APW (35.4 J). E50 of HMXW/AP (9.7 J) is as well lower than
424 Y.-b. LI et al. / Defence Technology 13 (2017) 422e427
Fig. 1. SEM images of energetic ingredients.(a)HMX,(b)coated HMX, (c)Al,(d)coated Al, (e) AP, (f) coated AP.
of pure HMXW (40.1 J) or AP. All these results imply that the
interaction effect between HMX and AP is very intense. In general,
impact sensitivity of mixed explosives can be obviously reduced
after HMX was coated by Wax, that is to say, the interaction effect
between HMX and AP can be weakened to a certain extent by
coating HMX with desensitizer. As can be seen in Fig. 2, E50 of both
HMXW/AP (9.7 J) and HMX/APW (7.3 J) are both higher than that of
HMX/AP (5.3 J), especially, E50 of HMXW/APW increases markedly
to 21.9 J in comparison with HMX/AP. In brief, to eliminate the
intense interaction effect between AP and HMX, it needs to effec-
tively separate HMX from AP by using enough coating materials, i.e.
desensitizer, polymeric binder or other inert matter.
micro-sized Al has no effect on initial thermal decomposition step No. Composition H50/cm E50/J
of HMX [3]. This result indicates that reaction rate of deflagration- 1 Coated AP (APW) 72.2 35.4
to-detonation of HMX reduces as a great deal of Al powder mixes 2 APW/Al (50/50) 112.2 55.0
into HMX, a plentiful of Al decentralizes the impact stress on 3 APW/AlW (50/50) 116.0 56.8
explosive, accordingly diminishes the probability of hot-spots for-
mation. Simultaneously, a vast of Al can improve heat transmit
which hamper explosion propagation from hot-spots. Table 3
E50 and H50 of HMX-Al-AP mixture (30% Al).
3.2.2. Effect of Al powder on sensitivity of AP No. HMX (X1) Al(X3) AP(X2) X1/X2 H50/cm E50/J
Impact sensitivity of the samples mixed coated AP with pure Al A1 15 30 55 0.273 112.2 55.0
or coated Al is summarized in Table 2. For whether APW/Al or APW/ A2 25 30 45 0.556 104.5 51.2
AlW sample, the E50 value increases visibly in comparison with the A3 35 30 35 1 100.5 49.2
A4 45 30 25 1.8 93.9 46.0
single coated AP. This result also implies no interaction effect be- A5 55 30 15 3.667 89.1 43.7
tween AP and Al while Al content is 50%. Actually, many research
results confirmed that micro-sized Al powder had little catalyzing
effect on thermal decomposition of AP [23,24]. Moreover, Al pow-
of composite explosive descends early, then ascends while Al
der has adsorption and inhibition effect to gaseous product sub-
content increases gradually and the inflexion corresponding to the
limed of AP, thereby it can suppress low-temperature thermal
content of Al is about 10% [28]. The impact sensitivity of composite
decomposition of AP [25], and then decrease impact sensitivity of
explosive declines along with the addition of Al because a great
AP/Al mixture.
deal of Al decentralizes the impact stress on explosive and doesn't
make energy localize on explosive particles, thereby diminishes the
3.2.3. Effect of Al powder on sensitivity of HMX/AP mixture probability of hot-spots formation. Moreover, a vast of Al can
From previous results, it is not difficult to find out the rule of improve heat transmission and this also prevents the formation
interaction effect on the sensitivity between two ingredients (with and buildup of hot-spots.
50/50 ratio). In fact, the performance of composite explosives or To validate these experimental results, empirical function of
propellants is highly relevant to the interaction between HMX, AP sensitivities (E50) of HMX/AP/Al mixtures versus HMX/AP or HMX/
and Al powder [26]. However, for HMX/AP/Al ternary composite Al ratio is fitted to exponential equation from experimental data,
system, the effect of different ingredient content on its sensitivity is depicted in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, respectively. On one hand, from the
still not clear. As 30% Al is usually a critical value for high energy fitted equation (depicted as Fig. 3), it can deduce that if HMX
composite propellants or explosives, such as AFX-757 [27], it is content increases to 70%, AP content decreases to 0%, the HMX/Al
selected to study the effect of Al powder on E50 of HMX/AP mixture. ratio is 70/30, then the E50 is 43.3 J. As can be seen in Table 1, E50 of
By keeping Al content as steady, HMX content of increases as 10% HMX/Al mixture (50/50) is 51.9 J. Hence, when Al content increases
step from 15% to 55%, meanwhile AP content decreases from 55% to from 30% to 50%, it can diminish the probability of hot-spot for-
15%, a series of compositions can be achieved for HMX/Al/AP mation from impact [22], makes E50 increase. On the other hand,
ternary composite system. E50 of each composition are listed in from the fitted function depicted in Fig. 4, it can also deduce that if
Table 3. It is clear that E50 of HMX/Al/AP ternary composite de- HMX content is 70%, Al content is 0%, i.e. HMX/AP is 70/30, E50 of
scends along with HMX content increasing and AP content HMX/Al/AP ternary mixtures would be 35.8 J. According to fitted
decreasing. However, all E50 of HMX/Al/AP ternary composite sys- equation depicted in Fig. 3, when HMX/AP ratio keeping as 70/30,
tem are larger than that of coated HMX (40.1 J), shows that when Al E50 of HMX/AP/Al mixtures (49/21/30) would be 44.8 J. 70HMX/
content in ternary composite system keeps as 30%, effective isola- 30AP system is more sensitive than 49HMX/21AP/30Al, which
tion between AP and HMX is achieved, and the interaction effect further clarifies that more Al adding into HMX/AP mixture can
between HMX and AP is basically eliminated. effectively eliminate the interaction effect between HMX and AP.
While AP content keeps steady, such as 30%, HMX content in-
creases from 15% to 55%, meanwhile Al content decreases from 55% 3.3. Thermal mechanism of interaction effect for HMX/AP mixture
to 15%, a series of mixtures can be also achieved for HMX/Al/AP
ternary composite system. As can be seen in Table 4, E50 value of As a key energetic material, ammonium perchlorate (AP) con-
HMX/Al/AP ternary composite declines as the content of HMX in- tinues to inspire new research efforts to better understand its
crease and AP decrease. However, if Al content is less than 30%, like thermal decomposition. Among many peculiar features, the most
sample B4 and B5, E50 value of HMX/Al/AP ternary composite striking is the discovery of low- and high-temperature modes of
system are lower than that of coated HMX (which E50 value is decomposition [29]. The low-temperature decomposition (LTD)
40.1 J). This data seems to show that effective separation between occurs below approximately 300 C. Actually, pure AP is quite stable
AP and HMX is not achieved, and the synergistic interaction be- compound at room temperature, nothing has happened except
tween HMX and AP still exists when Al content in ternary com-
posite system is far less 30%. In fact, research shows that E50 value
Table 4
E50 and H50 of HMX-Al-AP mixture (30% AP).
Table 1
E50 and H50 of Al, HMX and HMX-Al mixture. No. HMX (X1) Al(X3) AP(X2) X1/X3 H50/cm(5 kg) E50/J
Fig. 5. TG - DSC curves of pure AP, pure HMX and HMX-AP mixture. (a) DSC, (b) TG.
Y.-b. LI et al. / Defence Technology 13 (2017) 422e427 427