GAP/DNTF Based PBX Explosives: a Novel Formula Used in Small Sized Explosive Circuits

With 3,4-dinitrofurazanofuroxan (DNTF) and glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) as the main explosive and binder respectively, GAP/DNTF based PBX explosives were designed, prepared and used to fill the small groove of some explosive circuits. The formulation was: DNTF 85 wt.%, GAP 11 wt.%, 2,4-toluene diisocyanate (TDI) and other additives making up the final 4 wt.%. After the uncured slurry mixture was prepared by uniform mixing, a squeezing device was used to charge the circuit groove (dimensions less than 1 mm × 1 mm). Scanning electron microscope (SEM) results showed a fine charging effect. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used to determine the energy of activation (Ea) and the pre-factor (A) of GAP/DNTF and these were compared with those for raw DNTF. The influences and causes of it have been investigated. The experimental results for propagation reliability showed that when the dimensions of the linear groove were 0.8 mm × 0.8 mm, 0.7 mm × 0.7 mm, 0.6 mm × 0.6 mm or 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm, GAP/DNTF based PBX explosives can propagate explosion successfully. Furthermore, the H50 and friction sensitivity of GAP/DNTF based PBX explosives were obtained using the following mechanical sensitivity experiments. These properties are vital if GAP/DNTF based PBX explosives are to be applied in complex explosive circuits.