Thermal analysis of RDX with contaminants

Abstract

Many investigations and researches studied the reaction ability between high explosive RDX and RDX with other chemicals. However, accidents still occur and operating problems exist among the RDX manufacturing process. This study utilized inherent safety concepts and DSC thermal analysis to assess the incompatible reaction hazards of RDX during usage, handling, storage, transporting and manufacturing. This assessment includes thermal curve observations and kinetic evaluations. A decomposition mechanism of the incompatible reaction is proposed. Among all the contaminants evaluated in this study, the existence of ferrous chloride tetrahydrate, ferric chloride hexahydrate and nitric acid shifted the main endothermic and exothermic reactions of RDX. These contaminants further advanced the exothermic temperature onset average by about 53, 46 and 61°C, respectively. The summarized results suggest that ferric oxide, ferrous chloride tetrahydrate, ferric chloride hexahydrate, acetone solution and nitric acid can influence the reaction and thermokinetic properties of RDX. These chemicals could induce potential hazards by causing temperature control instability, heating and cooling systems failure, and produce an unexpected secondary explosion. According to the conclusions of this study, potential incompatible RDX hazards during usage and manufacturing could be avoided.