Kinetics of Polymorphic Transitions in Energetic Compounds

Available data on the kinetics of polymorphic transitions (PTs) in energetic compounds under isothermal conditions are summarized and discussed. It is shown that the general kinetic regularities of these processes (stepwise and continuous regimes) depend on their topotactic mode (frontal or quasi-homogeneous, respectively). In reverse PTs, a nucleation stage is not observed, which is explained by the presence of nuclei of the low-temperature polymorph in the preheated sample. The influence of mechanical effects on the kinetics of PTs in molecular crystals is discussed.