Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Explosives and Pyrotechnic Propellants For Use In: Long Term Deep Space Missions
Explosives and Pyrotechnic Propellants For Use In: Long Term Deep Space Missions
R=19740005551 2019-07-14T12:08:38+00:00Z
r,1
an am
S-4
1) U)
DPI-
- 0
space aging under 10 6 torr and 66 C have been selected. The selection
obtained for these materials and used as a basis for the ten year
was made.
INTRODUCTION
cal functions must survive these exposures' and exhibit a predictable per-
0
two 64 hour cycles at 125 C) and on prolonged exposure to an outer
will sublime away from initiating interfaces, thus creating voids and
the open ends of mild detonating fuse leads, (MDF),may evaporate and
changes.
'Caused by solar radiation or onboard radioisotope thermoelectric
generate (RTGs).
To determine the survivability of materials to be used
in long term deep space missions each item must be tested. Since
particular length of time then they will survive for longer periods of
test temperature is truly the same process which occurs at the actual
of this can be seen with PETN, where the. plot of log (% weight loss)
against reciprocal temperature gives two straight lines with the break
from the one occuring in real aging. Another example of this can be
chosen for the accelerated aging tests be within the temperature range
given by
/
k = A exp - E RT (1)
linear plots can be obtained up to a = 0. 99. For our purposes we are only in-
t = In (I - a ) /k (2)
G PM (3)
17. 14 T
tracted from experimental data, can be derived from the vapor pressure
6 expressed as
equationl
frequency factor and B the activation energy associated with the pro-
and long term deep space aging can be made. In this study the ex-
Army, Navy, and Air Force systems were identified, and categorized
ents, and then, along with some available but as yet unused explosives,
material as a candidate for long term deep space missions has been
based upon its ability to survive (1) two 64 hour sterilization heat
cycles at 125 0 C and (2) storage for ten years at 66 0 C under a pressure
a. Primary Explosives
or not they would withstand the specified heat sterilization and deep
hydration upon deep space storage to an extent that would lead to non-
sufficient data are avilable to indicate that they would not survive
below those specified for sterilization. The melting point of the sul-
that under the specified deep space storage constraints it will sub-
ing, weighing, drying, and even upon storage 2 4 . The extreme sensitive-
addition of small amounts of lead hydroxide and dextrin. This form, known
93%; lead hydroxide, 4%; dextrin and impurities, 3%. Dextrinated lead
loses approximately 0. 8% of its weight during the first four days, after
material lost for the same time period will be only slightly less. For
missions relevant to this studylit is probable that lead azide of a pure form,
e. g. polyvinyl alcohol lead azide or RD1333 lead azide could be used. Lead
achieve detonation in short columns. Thus lead azide, of a pure form, could
of less than 1 cm31. Associated with this high sensitivity, copper azide
stability.
b. Secondary Explosives
some limited information and data were examined for six explosives
not yet available commercially. These six are newly developed high
are available at this time indicate that these materials are potential
the literature for only nine sec~ dary explosive materials. Of these
nine, five are currently used in devices - HNS, DIPAM, HMX, RDX,
and PETN. The remaining four - TATB, DATB, TNA, and TNT -
are available but as yet unused. Table 3 lists the vapor pressure,
I0
in many initiators and igniters. The table shows that among the
material losses, and the relatively large losses of RDX and PETN
used to generate the data. The relatively high volatility of RDX and
mately 6 x 10 - 7 - 7 2
, 10 x 10 , and 2. 6 x 104gm/ cm .
PETN can be seen in Figures 3 and 4 where the time in which HMX,
generally between 200 and 300 0 C, the rate constants for the required
will decompose 10% in about 18 hours and RDX will decompose 10%
less thermally stable than RDX, and TNT more volatile and less
stable than PETN. Since RDX and PETN were disqualified as dis-
available, but the chemical and thermal stability data available indi-
this group the limited amount of stability data indicate that these
metals, one metal alloy, and three organic materials are being used
perchlorate 3 5
, molybdenum trioxide 3 9
, and silicon dioxide 4 0
) and
only limited thermal decomposition data have been reported for these
constant may be high enough such that after ten years at the specified
and zirconium/ nickel. Aluminum and magnesium melt at 6590 C and 651 0 C,
42
torr are: aluminum-542 0 C, boron-1062 0 C, magnesium-115 0 C,
the data that are available so far, there are no indications of any
These six metals and one metal alloy therefore qualify as candidates.
along with metals and metal oxides in initiator and igniter composi-
very slowly. The initial rate of weight loss is 0. 0001% per hour at
14.
260 0 C, and 0. 004% per hour at 3700C. 45 Viton A and Viton B also
After 3 days at 2000C in air, Viton A had a 1.4% weight loss, but,
for the same time and temperature in vacuum it had a 0. 45% weight
CONCLUSIONS
tion and ten year deep space flight tirres without deterioratinn When
ditionally. Further data and/ or testing are required for definite quali-
fication.
15
REFERENCES
9. Biddix, B. D., "Igniter Mark 280 Mod 0 for Use in Rocket Motor
Mark 32 Mod 0 (HASP): Qualification Test Report," Technical Report
272, August 20, 1968, U. S. Naval Ordnance Station, Indian Head, Md.
10. Koster, D. R., "Igniter Mark 192 Mod 2 Type-Life Program: Final Report,"
Technical Report 299, August 15, 1969, U. S. Naval Ordnance Station,
Indian Head, Md.
12. Moses, S.A. , "Accelerated Life Test for Aerospace Explosive Com-
ponents," Proceedings of the Seventh Symposium on Explosives and
Pyrotechnics, Philadelphia, Pa., September 1971, pp. 11-3-1 - 11-3-8.
16
15. Langmuir, I., "The Vapor Pressure of Metallic Tungsten," The Physical
Review, Second Series, Vol. II, No. 5, Nov. 1913, pp. 329-342.
33. Rosen, J. M. and Dickinson, C., "Vapor Pressures and Heats of Sublima-
tion of Some High Melting Organic Explosives, " Journal of Chemical
and Engineering Data, Vol. 14, No. 1, January 196 9,pp. 120-124.
'34. Kamlet, M. J., "Perspectives and Prospects for Research in High Energy
Chemistry in 1966-1975. I. Heat Resistant Explosives, TechhicalReport 65-220,
May 24, 1966, U. S. Naval Ordnance Laboratory, White Oak, Md.
41. "Handbood of Chemistry and Physics," 45th ed., The Chemical Rubber
Publishing Co., Cleveland, Ohio, 1965, pp. B-149, B-187.
44. Cox, J.M., Wright, B.A., and Wright, W.W., "Thermal Degradation
of Fluorine Containing Polymers. Part II. Degradation In Oxygen, "
Journal of Applied Polymer Science, Vol. 8, 1964, pp. 2951-2961.
Lead
styphnate PbC6H3N30 9 exp. INSD
a IN = Initiator
IG = Igniter
S = Squib
D = Detonator
TABLE 2 Secondary explosives surveyed 20
End Appli-
Common Name Acronym Chemical Melting cation or
Formula Point OC PrincipalU s
Azobis (2,2' ,4,4' ,6,6' hexanitrobiphenyl) C 2 4 H 6 N 14 0 24 >485 NA
Ammonium picrate Expl D C6H 6 N 4 0 7 d. 265
3,3' bis (methylnitramino) -2,2' ,4,4',6,6'- Bitetryl C 1 4 H8 N 1 0 0 16 218
hexanitrobiphenyl
1,3 diamino -2, 4, 6, trinitrobenzene DATB C 6 H5N506 290
3,3' diamino -2,2' ,4,4' ,6,6' hexanitro- DIPAM C 1 2 H6 N8 0 12 304 MDF
biphenyl
1,3 bis (2,4, 6 trinitrophenylamino) -2, Dipicryl C 1 8 H7 N 1 1 0 1 8 335
4, 6 - trinitrobenzene DATB
N, N dipicrylpyromellitimide DIPPI C22H 6 N801 6 d. 370
Dodecanitroquaterphenyl C2 4 H 6 N 1 2 0 2 4 > 400 NA
2,2' ,4,4' ,6,6' hexanitrodiphenylamine Hexite C 12H5N7 0 12 243
Cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine HMX C4 H 8 N 8 0 8 276 D
2, 2' ,4,4' ,6,6' hexanitroazobenzene HNAB C 1 2 H 4 N8012 221
2,2',4,4',6,6' hexanitrobiphenyl HNB C 1 2 H4 N 6 0 12 241 NA
2, 2' ,4,4' ,6,6' hexanitrodipherlylsulfone HNDS C 1 2 H4 N 6 0 14 S d. 345
2, 2' ,4,4' ,6,6' hexanitrooxanilide HNO C 1 4 H6N 8 014 d. 302
2,2' ,4,4' ,6,6' hexanitrostilbene HNS C1 4 H6N 6 O12 316 MDF
Potassium hexanitrodiphenylamine C 1 2 H5N 7 0 1 2K NA
Nitrocellulose C6H90 4 (ONO 2 d. Propellant
Nitroglycerine C 3H 5N 30 9 13.2 Propellant
Nitroguanidine NG CH 4 N 4 0 2
2,2' , 2",4,4' ,4",6,6'6" nonanitroterphenyl C1 8 H5N 9 018 440
2,2',4, 4' ,4", 6,6' 6" octanitro-m-terphenyl C1 8 H 6 N8016 > 400
2, 24,4' , 6-pentanitrobenzophenone C'13 H 5N 50 1 1 320 NA
Pentaerithrytol tetranitrate PETN C5H8N40 1 2 141
Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine RDX C 3 H6N606 204 MDF,D
Tetranitradibenzo- 1,3a,4, 6a TACOT C1 2 H 4 N808 378 MDF,D
tetraazapentalene
1, 3,5 triamino-2,4, 6 trinitrobenzene TATB C6H6N60 6 330
2,4, 6 trinitroaniline TNA C6H4N 4 0 6 190
Tetranitrocarbazole TNC C1 2 H5N 50 8 296
1,4, 5,8 tetranitronaphthalene C 1 2 H4N 4 0 8 > 400
2,2' ,4,4' tetranitrooaxnilide TNO C1 4 H 8 N6010 d. 313
2,4,6 tripicryl-s-triazine C 2 1 H6 N 1 2 0 1 8 352 NA
1,3,5-tris (methylnitramino)-2,4,6- Tristetryl C9H9N90 12 exp. 205
trinitrobenzene
a MDF = Mild detonating fuse
D = Detonator
IG = Igniter
NA = Not Available
TABLE 3 Vapor pressure and sublimation data at 660C
1 5 - 7
2. 88 x 10-14 (33) 1.93 x 10- 6.09 x 10
HNS
6
DIPAM 5. 02 x 10-14 (34) 3. 39 x 10-15 1. 07 x 10-
- -4
TATB 6.46 x 10 12 (33) 3.29 x 10-13 1. 04 x 10
- - 4
HMX 1.51 x 10-11 (33) 8.24 x 10 13 2.60 x 10
6
PETN 5.01 x 10 - 5 (36) 2. 82 x 10- 8.89 x 102
*1-'
22
Titanium Ti 1725 IG
a IN = Initiator
= Igniter
IG
S = Squib
D = Detonator
GG= Gas generator
23
Lead chromate
Lead peroxide
Molybdenum trioxide
Potassium chlorate
Potassium perchlorate
Pottasium nitrate
Silicon dioxide
Titanium hydride
24
Dodecanitroquaterphenyl
Hexanitroazabenzene (HNAB)
Hex-n-itrbiphenyl (HTN!B)
Hexanitrodiphenylamine (Hexite)
Hexanitrodiphenylsulfone (HNDS)
Hexanitrooxanilide (HNO)
Potassium hexanitrodiphenylamine
Nitroguanidine (NG)
Pentanitrobenzo phenone
Tetranitronaphthalene
Tetranitrocarbazole (TNC)
Tetranitrooxanilide (TNO)
Tripicryl-s-triazine
FIGURE CAPTIONS
(3) RDX, (4) TNA, (5) DATB, (6) AP, (7) P -HMX,
Function of Temperature.
Function of Temperature.
50 0C 100 0 C 150 0 C 200 0 C
10-2
10- 4
0 5
10 7
LU
S10- 6 810
<8
10-7
10- 8 -
10-9
3.0 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.0
10 3 / T (oK)
~ai~y~s~l MAY~oc
50 0 C 100 0 C 150 0 C 200 0 C
10 !-
3
10 PETN
.
102
C)
E
u I RDX HMX
10
E
L0
100 HNS
DIPAM
10 -
-2 -
10
-3
10
3.0 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.0
10 3 T (K)
10 3 1% DECOMPOSITION
102
VHMX
LU
>- 101
RDX
10 0 _ PETN
-
10 1
10 - 2
10 -3 _ __ .
3.0 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.0
10 3 / T (oK)
50 0 C 100 0 C 150 0 C 200 0 C
10 4 I I
102
HMX
10
RDX
10 o PETN
101
10 -2
10
3.0 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.0
10 3 / T (OK)