Thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of ETN and its mixtures with PETN and RDX

Erythritol tetranitrate (butane-1,2,3,4-tetrayl tetranitrate, ETN) has become one of the most synthesized improvised explosives nowadays as it can be found on public internet discussion boards. However, the low melting point, nitrocellulose gelling ability, high energy content, and availability of its precursor make the substance potentially useful in industry as an energetic component or additive in certain gun propellants. Mixtures of ETN with other high explosives are also frequently discussed on web pages dealing with improvised explosives. This article describes thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of pure ETN and its mixtures with pentaerythritol tetranitrate and cyclonite (1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane, RDX). The thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of such mixtures are described using non-isothermal DSC and TG techniques. Kissinger method, Soviet manometric method, and modified Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose method were used for data evaluation.