Crosslinked Ionic Liquid Binder for Explosive Sensitivity Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing explosive binders exhibit temperature-dependent viscoelastic properties, leading to increased sensitivity and the risk of unwanted detonation when cold, as their viscosity sharply increases, making them prone to mechanical stress-induced detonation.

Innovation Solution

A binder comprising an ionic liquid and a crosslinked polymer network, where the polymer is formed using a crosslinking agent with multiple functional groups, reducing the migration of the ionic liquid and stabilizing its mechanical properties across a wide temperature range, thereby reducing sensitivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a binder consisting of HTPB hardened using an isocyanate is used, then the explosive achieves high performance and porosity, but the binder exhibits temperature-dependent viscoelastic properties leading to increased sensitivity at low temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveexplosive performanceVSAvoidsensitivity to mechanical stress
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a composite binder system combining HTPB polymer with ionic liquid and crosslinking agent, creating a multi-component material that leverages the advantages of each component while mitigating their individual disadvantages, specifically addressing the temperature-dependent sensitivity issue

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the chemical and physical parameters of the binder by introducing crosslinking agents and ionic liquids, which fundamentally alter the viscoelastic properties and reduce temperature dependence of the binder's mechanical behavior

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the viscosity of the binder increases at low temperatures, then the binder provides structural stability, but the explosive becomes more sensitive to mechanical stress and prone to unintended detonation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinder structural stabilityVSAvoidsensitivity to impact
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the viscoelastic parameters of the binder through crosslinking and ionic liquid addition, changing the temperature dependence of viscosity to maintain lower values across a wider temperature range, thereby reducing impact sensitivity while preserving structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates local structural modifications within the binder matrix through crosslinking points and ionic liquid distribution, providing different mechanical properties in different regions to balance structural stability with reduced sensitivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of operation

If the ionic liquid is used without crosslinking, then the binder maintains good solubility and processing properties, but the ionic liquid migrates within the binder and exhibits strong temperature dependence

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinder processing propertiesVSAvoidionic liquid migration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary crosslinking of the polymer matrix before final binder formation, creating a stable network structure that locks the ionic liquid in place and prevents migration while maintaining processing properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite structure where the crosslinked polymer network and ionic liquid phases work together, with the network providing structural stability and the ionic liquid providing processing benefits without migration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The crosslinked binder significantly enhances the safety of explosive materials by preventing premature decomposition and detonation, even under heat exposure, such as in a fire, by maintaining stable mechanical properties and reducing temperature-dependent viscosity changes.

Implementation Method 1

The polymer is formed from monomers or molecules of another polymer, which are cross-linked to form an elastic network by means of a cross-linking agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCross-linking reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

The monomers or molecules of the further polymer are preferably polar so that they are soluble in the always polar ionic liquid or can swell or gel due to the ionic liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Data Source

PatentEP3872054B1Binding agent for an explosive
Publication Date: 2024.06.12 DIEHL DEFENCE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3872054B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3872054B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3872054B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a binder for an explosive, comprising at least one ionic liquid and a polymer, wherein the polymer is formed from monomers or molecules of a further polymer cross-linked to form an elastic network by means of a cross-linking agent, wherein the ionic liquid is embedded in the network.