Thermally Induced Polymorphic Transformation of Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW) Investigated by in-situ X-ray Powder Diffraction

The ε→γ phase transition of HNIW induced by heat was investigated with in situ X-ray powder diffraction (PXRD). The effects of purity, particle size, insensitive additives and the time of isothermal heat treatment on the phase transition were evaluated. It was found that the phase transition is irreversible with changes in temperature, and the two phases can coexist in a certain temperature range. Moreover, the initial phase transition temperature increases with increasing purity and decreasing particle size of HNIW, and thus with the approximate crystal density. The addition of graphite and paraffin wax to HNIW as insensitive additives leads to a decrease in the initial phase transition temperature, but the addition of TATB does not affect the initial phase transition temperature. Thus, TATB is a suitable insensitive additive. Moreover, at the critical temperature, the isothermal time determined the efficiency of the ε- to γ-phase transition. This work lays the foundations for the choice of molding technologies, performance test methods, ammunition storage options, as well as the manufacture of HNIW-based explosive formulations.