Advances in High Energy Materials (Review Paper)

U. R. Nair; S. N. Asthana; A. Subhananda Rao; B. R. Gandhe

doi:10.14429/dsj.60.327

U. R. Nair High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
S. N. Asthana High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
A. Subhananda Rao High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
B. R. Gandhe High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.60.327

Keywords: HEMs, performance, insensitive, explosives, propellants, high energy materials, green energetic materials, trinitrotoluene, cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine

Abstract

Research and development efforts for realizing higher performance levels of high energy materials (HEMs) are continued unabated all over the globe. Of late, it is becoming increasingly necessary to ensure that such materials are also eco-friendly. This has provided thrust to research in the area of force multiplying HEMs and compounds free from pollution causing components. Enhancement of the performance necessitates introduction of strained structure or increase in oxygen balance to achieve near stoichiometry. The search for environment friendly molecules is focused on chlorine free propellant compositions and lead free primary explosives. Energetic polymers offer added advantage of partitioning of energy and thus not necessitating the concentration of only solid components (HEMs and metal fuels) in the formulations, to achieve higher performance, thereby leading to improvement in energetics without adversely affecting the processability and mechanical properties. During recent times, research in the area of insensitive explosives has received impetus particularly with the signature of STANAG. This paper gives a review of the all-round advances in the areas of HEMs encompassing oxidizers, high-energy dense materials, insensitive high-energy materials, polymers and plasticizers. Selected formulations based on these materials are also included.

Defence Science Journal, 2010, 60(2), pp.137-151, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.60.327

Author Biographies

U. R. Nair, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

Presently working at High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune. She has contributed in the development of explosive detection kit. Her area of expertise is in the field of synthesis and characterisation of high energy materials and processing of explosive formulations for various applications.

S. N. Asthana, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

Presently, he is Head, High Explosives and Chemical Engineering Divisions, HEMRL. He has been instrumental in the development of technologies of high explosives for warheads of missiles. He has contributed towards establishment of technology of new class of cast cure polymer-based explosives for futuristic insensitive munitions. He is also credited with the establishment of technologies
of modern high energy materials like CL-20. He has carried out extensive R&D work in the field of solid rocket propellants.

A. Subhananda Rao, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

Presently, he is Distinguished Scientist and Director, HEMRL. He is an acclaimed propulsion designer and hard core system expert. He has designed developed, realised, prductionised and evaluated more than 30 indigenous propulsion systems for strategic and tactical missiles.

B. R. Gandhe, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

Presently as a Director of Armaments DRDO Hqrs, New Delhi coordinating the research and development activities of Armament Group of Laboratories of DRDO. He has wide experience in Quality
assurance of various gun and rocket propulsion systems and Quality Management. His main areas of research include synthesis and characterisation of high energy materials, development of gun and rocket propellants, explosive charges and pyro compositions based on new high energy materials and ageing and life extension of propellants.

Advances in High Energy Materials (Review Paper)

Abstract

Author Biographies

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