The influence of the semtex matrix on the thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of cyclic nitramines

Qi Long Yan, Svatopluk Zeman, Ahmed Elbeih, Akštein Zbyněk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

45 Scopus citations

Abstract

The thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of Semtex 10 polymeric matrix (Semtex) bonded PBXs containing RDX (1,3,5-trinitro 1,3,5-triazinane), HMX (1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane), BCHMX (cis-1,3,4,6- tetranitrooctahydroimidazo [4,5-d] imidazole), HNIW (2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro- 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane) have been investigated by means of nonisothermal TG and DSC techniques. It is shown that only a single decomposition process occurs for RDX-SE and HMX-SE whilst an obvious two-step process occurs for CL-20-SE and BCHMX-SE. The onset of the exotherms were observed at 210.6, 239.7, 279.2 and 229.4 °C with the peak maxima at 232.2, 249.4, 280.4 and 240.2 °C, and energy changes of 1808, 2140, 612 and 1757 J·g-1 for RDX-SE, BCHMX-SE, HMX-SE and CL-20-SE, respectively. It has been found that the Semtex matrix has little influence on the activation energy distribution for RDX, BCHMX and e-CL-20. The activation energies for BCHMX-SE and CL-20-SE decomposition are almost independent of the degree of conversion, with mean values of 159.6 ±1.9 and 187.3 ±1.8 kJ·mol-1. It has been proved that Semtex and Viton A are better binders than C4 and Formex for ε-CL-20 and RDX based PBXs in terms of their greater thermal stability, and Formex is a poor binder for BCHMX.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)509-528
Number of pages20
JournalCentral European Journal of Energetic Materials
Volume10
Issue number4
StatePublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Activation energy
  • Cyclic nitramines
  • PBX
  • Semtex
  • Thermal decomposition

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