ISSN:
0721-3115
Keywords:
Chemistry
;
Polymer and Materials Science
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Process Engineering, Biotechnology, Nutrition Technology
Notes:
The remarkable safety characteristics of the high explosive 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) are revolutionizing the design and deployment of nuclear weapons. Kel-F 800 is used as the binder to obtain high-density, mechanically stable billets of TATB that can be machined into desired shapes. However, repeated thermal cycling between - 54 °C and 74 °C of high density, pure, and plastic-bonded TATB billets causes a permanent volume expansion (growth) of about 1.5 vol% to 2.0 vol%. Debonding of the Kel-F 800 binder occurs during growth, causing a reduction in the mechanical properties of the plastic-bonded explosive. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of these TATB billets between ambient temperature and 74 °C is 67.0 × 10-6/°C. TATB undergoes a secondary mechanical relaxation just above room temperature, coinciding with the onset of a high CTE, above the glass transition temperature (Tg) of Kel-F 800. Thus, by judicious selection of a high-Tg binder, we have essentially eliminated growth, stopped the degradation of mechanical properties after thermal cycling, suppressed the secondary mechanical relaxation, and lowered the CTE to 50.0 × 10-6/°C between ambient temperature and 74 °C.
Additional Material:
11 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/prep.19810060202
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