Pressable explosive composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to low-sensitivity, pressable, aluminum-containing explosive compositions and a method of producing them. The compositions comprise between 45 and 95% by weight explosive crystals, between 5 and 55% by weight passivated aluminum and a binder that is chosen such that the composition satisfies the requirements for low-sensitivity explosives (IM requirements). Due to the fact that the aluminum is passivated, the composition can be produced by the use of a well-known water slurry process.

Description

[0001] The following invention relates to pressable aluminum-containing explosive compositions. More particularly, the invention relates to low-sensitivity, pressable aluminum-containing explosive compositions and a method for producing them. [0002] 1. Background [0003] In recent times, there has been an increased interest in aluminum-containing explosive compositions due to the fact that these provide an explosive having increased explosive pressure (so-called “enhanced blast explosives” or otherwise known as “thermobaric explosives”). The reason for this increased interest is that there is a greater need for charges that can be effectively used against bunkers and tunnels. For this purpose, an explosive is needed that can release energy over a longer period than is achieved by traditional compositions having pure high explosives. The use of aluminum to increase the effect in an explosive has long been known, and was first patented already in 1900 by G. Roth (DE 172,327). [0004] Th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a pressable hi explosive with alumi...

Problems solved by technology

Smaller charges can also be made from these compositions, but this is a relatively costly process and for smaller charges a pressing process is much more economical.

A disadvantage with such mechanical mixing is that the aluminum and explosive are not mixed well enough and after pressing the result is charges where the aluminum and the explosive are not homogenously dispersed.

Another disadvantage with this Comp-A3 / aluminum composition is that it does not satisfy the requirements for use in low-sensitivity ammunition.

The process described by Jones et al. is economically disadvantageous compared with a standard water slurry process because it utilizes PF-5080 which is much more expensive than water.

It is also unrealistic to expect to recover 100%.

PF-5080 is also not environmentally attractive.

This process is further disadvantageous in that it requires the use of dry crystals of explosive.

This is disadvantageous from a safety perspective in that a much greater risk is associated with handling dry explosive crystals as opposed to moist.

Predrying of explosive crystals is economically disadvantageous since this requires both time energy and equipment.

This process has several disadvantages, among others requiring the use of an expensive kneading machine and extruding equipment.

A more safety related disadvantage is that this process also uses a pre-dried explosive.

Transportation and handling of dried HMX or RDX are, as described previously, connected with a risk.

In addition to the increased risk, there is also an economic disadvantage in that predrying the explosive requires time, energy and equipment.

They state however that the quality of aluminum that is used cannot be used in water over 30° C. They must therefore remove the solvent by a method other than distillation, but how this is accomplished is not described.

CL-20 is also very expensive as a result of the costly process of its manufacture.

Without these acidic groups, it was only possible to coat the explosive with aluminum dust.

However, because of environmental reasons, restrictions were imposed against producing bichromated aluminum several years ago.

As a result, it is now very difficult to acquire large quantities of this, and that which can be acquired is quite costly.

Of course it is also because of environmental and health reasons quite unattractive to utilize such bichromated aluminum quality.

Nonetheless, these compositions do not satisfy present requirements for explosives for use in low-sensitivity ammunition (IM-requirements).