Explosive Properties of a High Explosive Composition Based on cis-1,3,4,6-Tetranitrooctahydroimidazo-[4,5-d]imidazole and 1,1-Diamino-2,2-dinitroethene

Abstract

In this work, preparation and characterization of a plastic bonded explosive (PBX) based on a mixture of cis-1,3,4,6-tetranitrooctahydroimidazo-[4,5-d]imidazole (BCHMX) and 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethene (DADNE orFOX-7) bonded by poly-dimethyl siloxane binder (PDMS) were investigated. Impact and friction sensitivities were determined. Detonation velocity was measured and the detonation characteristics were determined by the EXPLO 5 thermodynamic code. Relative explosive strength was determined using the ballistic mortar test. For comparison, four individual cyclic nitramines, RDX (1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane), beta-HMX (beta-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane), BCHMX and epsilon-CL20 (epsilon-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane, epsilon-HNIW) in addition to their PBXs bonded by the same polymeric matrix were studied. Also traditional plastic explosives such as Czech plastic explosive (SEMTEX 10) and Egyptian Plastic Explosive (EPX-1) were included in the study. The results confirmed that BCHMX/FOX7-Sil has the lowest impact and friction sensitivity of all the studied samples and its detonation velocity and pressure are higher than the traditional PETN plastic explosives