Formulation and process safety. Progress report, July--September 1975

Abstract

Progress during July to October 1975 in research on chemical explosives is reported. Five explosives (HMX, TATB, TCTNB, PETN, and Composition B-3) were subjected to shock tests with a booster system. The explosives were tested dry (except CB-3 and PETN) and wet with typical synthesis/formulation solvents in typical synthesis/formulation concentrations. The four materials tested dry all detonated in 4.4 cm inside diameter by 25.4 cm Plexiglas tubes with 0.635 cm walls. HMX was tested at 90 percent, 67 percent and 25 percent (tested at 10.2 cm diameter by 50.8 cm length) concentrations in water, with detonation observed at only the higher two concentrations. TATB was tested wet with water at 70 percent concentration in both 4.4 and 10.2 cm diameter and failed to detonate in both cases. When tested with toluene at the 75 percent level it also failed to detonate. TCTNB detonated at 79 percent concentration with water, but did not detonate with toluene and water at the 15 percent level. PETN, tested at the 15 and 20 percent levels in acetone and the 20 percent level with water, failed to detonate. The CB-3 test, at 40 percent with Freon TF, detonated. Results of burn tests involving TATB, TCTNB, PETN, HNS and TNT dry and with typical synthesis/formulation solvents and concentrations are included. Generally, those burns involving solvents initially resembled a ''normal'' organic-fuel fire and eventually the explosive burned. The ''dry'' burns resembled the later stage of the above fires. There were no explosions. (auth)