Cyclotol

Abstract: This paper was presented at the 27 International Pyrotechnics Seminar, 16 – 21 July 2000 in Grand Junction, CO., and is an update on the PEP-I Wall Chart that was presented at the Eighteenth International Pyrotechnics Seminar, July 1992, at Breckenridge, CO. The descriptive text has not changed. The Wall Chart has been corrected and updated with chemical symbols of the explosives. An Appendix of Engineering Tools has been added. There is a need in the pyrotechnic, explosive, and propellant engineering and scientific community to compile the energetic material property and characteristic data for a single point reference. The objective of this paper is to fulfill that need for the properties and characteristics of selected high explosives of interest to the defense and aerospace industry. The information is collected from published literature and compiled for easy access in data sheet and wall chart format. Members of the engineering and scientific community of all disciplines are invited for input to the development of the knowledge base that is represented. Equally important to presenting the data is to identify the source as reference, which is listed at the end of this paper. This paper is updated periodically to include recent changes. Explosives referenced in MIL-STD-1316 are discussed together with common secondary explosives: MIL-STD-1316 EXPLOSIVES COMMON EXPLOSIVES COMPOSITION A3 RDX COMPOSITION A4 HMX COMPOSITION A5 DATB COMPOSITION CH6 TATB PBX-9407 PETN PBXN-5 CYCLOTOL PBXN-6 TNT DIPAM COMPOSITION B3 HNS-I XTX-8003 HNS-II OCTOL TETRYL All the 'Compositions', and PBXN-6, and CYCLOTOL are RDX based; PBXN-5, and OCTOL is HMX based; XTX-8003 is PETN based; The 'TOLs' (CYCLOTOL and OCTOL) contain TNT as a second ingredient. TETRYL is no longer manufactured and is being phased out as a MIL-STD-1316 explosive. DATB and TATB are explosives with limited published literature found to be available. Explosive properties and characteristics of interest are discussed: Chemical Composition Hygroscopicity Density Thermal Stability Crystal Hardness Heat of Combustion Autoignition Heat of Reaction Critical Temperature Heat of Formation Melt Point Heat of Products of Detonation Decomposition Temperature Shock Sensitivity Threshold Gas Volume Laser Initiation Threshold Detonation Pressure TNT Equivalency VOD Formulae Brisance Velocity Of Detonation Impact sensitivity Temperature of Detonation Friction Sensitivity Vacuum Stability Explosive Specification

Abstract: The invention provides a booster assembly for a main explosive wherein the booster charge is formed from TNT and PETN and/or RDX and contains less RDX and/or PETN than required in comparably performing conventional booster charges of the cyclotol and pentolite types. The booster charge is a layer of a cast explosive of the group of pentolites, cyclotols and mixtures thereof, and a layer of cast TNT contiguous thereto. On a weight ratio basis, preferred pentolites contain PETN/TNT of from 60/40 to 40/60; and preferred cyclotols contain RDX/TNT of from 75/25 to 50/50, including Composition B which is a 60/40 RDX/TNT containing 1 percent of a microcrystalline wax.

Abstract: Throughout the years a variety of tests have been designed which provide insight into the sensitivity of high explosives (HE) to non‐shock initiation. Various standard tests such as the LANL drop weight impact, LLNL drop hammer, drop tower and skid tests have been developed to measure energetic response of explosives subjected to a combination of friction and oblique impact. In addition, the BAM test (for HE powders on roughened ceramic) and ABL friction test (powders or solids on roughened metal) have been developed for testing HE under frictional loading. In an effort to understand first principles of non‐shock initiation, we have designed a series of tests to try to isolate friction and impact during the insult of HE. An initial series of tests have been completed with PETN, HMX, and as‐pressed pellets of PBX 9501 (95 wt% HMX, wt% inert binder), PBX 9502 (95 wt% TATB, 5 wt% inert binder), Cyclotol (75 wt% RDX/25, wt% TNT), and Comp B3 (60 wt% RDX, 40 wt% TNT). The results suggest that some types of high explosives are relatively insensitive to pure impact and pure friction but relatively sensitive to insults involving a combination of impact and friction.

Abstract: : The work reported represents part of a continuing effort to determine the important characteristics of some explosives as they pertain to performance in ammunition. Tests were conducted to determine the fragment velocity, blast pressure, detonation velocity, sensitivity to impact and friction, thermal stability, mechanical strength, and thermal expansion of each explosive. Tests were applied to TNT and TNT-based compositions including Composition B, Composition B-3, 75/25 Cyclotol, 70/30 Octol, 75/25 Octol, 80/20 Tritonal, H-6 HBX-3, and HTA-4; and plastic- or wax-bonded compositions including LX-04-1, PBX 9010, PBX Types A and B, PBX 9404, Comp A-3, PBXN-1, PBXN-3, 95/5 HMX/Kel F- 800, Composition C-4, and 86/14 RDX/Wax.