Abstract:
Tetryl is an extensively used as an explosive in leads and boosters of
ordnance items. However, it has serious limitations like its greater tendency to
explode when subjected to high temperatures like encountered in certain
modern weapon environments. Its cook-off temperature is low having lesser
output resulting in marginal initiation of the next charge besides being a skin
irritant during handling. Due to these limitations it needs to be phased out.
RDX has better cook-off characteristics than Tetryl. It is preferable
explosive for use in ordnance subjected to temperatures approaching and
exceeding the cook-off temperature of Tetryl. RDX also has a greater output
so that an RDX lead or booster would be effective under circumstances in
which a Tetryl lead or booster give marginal initiation of the next charge.
An insensitive RDX based explosive composition (containing RDX,
binder and small quantities of desensitizers) is needed to be developed. The
binder improves spherical nature of shape of the RDX granules and holds the
loaded component together with greater strength. Small percentage of graphite
is added to increase the flow rate of the material and act as lubricant on the
faces of the RDX particles and granules. The stearates act as dispersant for
avoiding agglomeration of the particles of RDX and its granules during
coating of RDX with binder during mixing process. It is manufactured through
precipitation reaction between aqueous solutions so that it does not allow
agglomeration of the granules of RDX to build up.
Subsequent to the characterization of requisite ingredients, a laboratory
scale method has been developed during this work. The method has been
translated into a pilot plant version. The upshot of this work is the
development of an RDX based insensitive composition for Tetryl conducted
successfully.
