Influence of Different Polymeric Matrices on the Properties of Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate

Abstract

Six different polymeric matrices were fabricated to reduce the sensitivity of PETN (Pentaerythritol tetranitrate). The polymeric matrices used were individually based on Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) softened by plasticizer, styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) softened by oil, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) plasticised by dioctyl adipate (DOA), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyurethane matrix, and Fluorel binder. A computerised plastograph mixer was utilised for producing three polymer-bonded explosives (PETN-NBR, PETN-SBR, and PETN-PDMS) based on the non-aqueous method. A cast-cured method was used to prepare PBX based on polyurethane (PETN-HTPB), while the slurry technique was used to prepare beads of PETN coated by either fluorel binder (PETN-FL) or based on PMMA forming (PETN-PMMA). The heat of combustion and sensitivities were investigated. The velocity of detonation was measured, while the characteristics of the detonation wave were deduced theoretically by the EXPLO 5 (thermodynamic code). The ballistic mortar experiment was performed to determine the explosive strength. By comparing the results, it was found that PDMS has the highest influence on decreasing the impact sensitivity of PETN, while the cast cured PETN-HTPB has the lowest friction sensitivity. On the other side, PETN-FL has the highest detonation parameters with high impact sensitivity. Several relationships were verified and the matching between the measured results with the calculated ones was confirmed.