Linear Nitramine Desensitization of Cyclic Energetic Compounds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energetic compositions are highly sensitive to physical shock, leading to unintentional detonation and limitations in meeting insensitive munitions and high explosives standards, with current desensitizing additives experiencing sublimation issues at elevated temperatures.
Innovation Solution
The use of linear nitramine additives with specific backbones and terminal groups to desensitize cyclic nitramines, maintaining energy and reducing shock sensitivity without loss of performance, with preferred weight ratios and melting points matching those of the cyclic nitramines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional desensitizing additives are used to reduce shock sensitivity, then sensitivity is reduced, but the additives are lost by sublimation at elevated temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the desensitizing additive by selecting linear nitramines with specific melting points (close to that of the cyclic nitramine) and high decomposition temperatures. This parameter modification ensures the additive remains stable and does not sublime at operational temperatures while still providing shock desensitization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite energetic composition combining cyclic nitramine (primary explosive) with linear nitramine (desensitizing additive). This composite approach allows the synergistic effect where the linear nitramine reduces shock sensitivity of the cyclic nitramine while maintaining overall energetic performance through careful selection of compatible components.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If melt-cast or pour-castable compositions are used to reduce sensitivity, then sensitivity is reduced, but the compositions have limited usefulness due to processing limitations and additive loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the thermal parameters of the composition by selecting linear nitramines with melting points close to the cyclic nitramine and high decomposition temperatures. This creates a composition that maintains structural integrity at operational temperatures while achieving desensitization, avoiding the need for melt-cast or pour-castable formulations.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If desensitizing additives are added to reduce shock sensitivity, then sensitivity is reduced, but energy performance is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully selects linear nitramines with high decomposition temperatures and appropriate melting points to ensure the additive does not decompose or sublime at operational temperatures. This parameter optimization allows the additive to function solely as a desensitizer without sacrificing the energetic performance of the cyclic nitramine.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent develops a composite system where the linear nitramine and cyclic nitramine work synergistically. The linear nitramine provides shock desensitization while the cyclic nitramine maintains high energetic performance, achieving a balance between safety and performance that neither component could achieve alone.
Data Source
AI summary
Propellant compositions containing cyclic nitramines that are susceptible to unintentional detonation are desensitized by the incorporation of a linear nitramine having a backbone containing one to three ethylene groups and one or two nitramine groups.