Application of cis-1,3,4,6-Tetranitrooctahydroimidazo-[4,5d] Imidazole (BCHMX) in EPX-1 Explosive

Ahmed Elbeih; Tamer Elshenawy; Mohamed Gobara

doi:10.14429/dsj.66.9876

Ahmed Elbeih Military Technical College, KobryElkobbah, Cairo
Tamer Elshenawy Technical Research Centre, Cairo
Mohamed Gobara Military Technical College, KobryElkobbah, Cairo

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.66.9876

Keywords: BCHMX, plastic explosives, sensitivity, DSC, detonation

Abstract

cis-1,3,4,6-Tetranitrooctahydroimidazo-[4,5 d]imidazole (BCHMX) has been studied as explosive filler to replace pentaerythritol tetra-nitrate (PETN) inEPX1 explosive. BCHMX with different particle sizes was bonded by thermoplastic binder plasticised by dibutyl phthalate to obtain BCHMX-EPX. Heat of combustion was measured. Impact energy and friction force of initiation were determined. Velocity of detonation was measured, while the detonation characteristics were calculated by thermodynamic code named EXPLO 5. For comparison, the detonation characteristics of some commercial plastic explosives such asEPX-1, SEMTEX 10 and FORMEX P1were also studied. It was concluded that BCHMX-EPX has the highest detonation characteristics of all the studied plastic explosives and its sensitivity is in the same level of the studied traditional plastic explosives. BCHMX-EPX has the highest decomposition temperature of all the studied samples. The mutual relationship obtained from the experimental and calculated results indicates the compatibility of the calculated results with the experimental measurements.

Author Biographies

Ahmed Elbeih, Military Technical College, KobryElkobbah, Cairo

Dr Ahmed Elbeih obtained his BSc and MSc (Chemical Engineering) from Military Technical College, Cairo, Egypt in 1997 and 2003, respectively. He obtained his PhD from the Institute of Energetic Materials, Pardubice University, Czech Republic. He is currently working as a Head of Explosives and Rocket Propellants department, Military Technical College. His main areas of research include : Synthesis and characterisation of high energy materials, development of insensitive ammunition and high performance plastic explosives, investigation of modern gun and rocket propellants, ageing and life extension of propellants.

Tamer Elshenawy, Technical Research Centre, Cairo

Dr Tamer Elshenawy obtained BSc and MSc (Chemical Engineering) from Military Technical College, Cairo, Egypt in 1998 and 2004, respectively. He obtained his PhD from the University of Manchester, UK, in 2012. He has been working in the field of research in weapons, ammunition and explosives as well as rocket propulsion for 15 years. Current researches including shaped charges design and developments as well as explosive manufacturing technologies.

Mohamed Gobara, Military Technical College, KobryElkobbah, Cairo

Dr Mohamed Gobara obtained his BSc and MSc (Chemical Engineering) from Military Technical College, Cairo, Egypt in 1995 and 2001 respectively. He obtained his PhD from Sheffield Hallam University in 2009. Currently, he is Assoc. Professor affiliated to the Department of Chemical Engineering, Military Technical College. His current research interests include: Corrosion control, conductive polymers, Sol-gel coatings, green inhibitors.