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Thermal decomposition reactions of HMX and RDX and their importance in predicting cookoff hazards

Conference ·
OSTI ID:10193441
 [1];  [2]
  1. Sandia National Labs., Livermore, CA (United States)
  2. Army Armament Research, Development, and Engineering Center, Dover, NJ (United States)

Recent work on the decomposition of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-s-triazine (RDX) and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), utilizing simultaneous thermogravimetric modulated beam mass spectrometry (STMBMS), has shown that they undergo significant decomposition in both the solid and liquid phases. Previous studies have determined the mechanisms of several reaction pathways that control the decomposition of these materials. This paper presents a summary of this previous work and how the results can be applied to developing models to predict the response of energetic materials in cookoff situations.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); Department of Defense, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
10193441
Report Number(s):
SAND--94-8709C; CONF-9408123--4; ON: DE95002486; BR: GB0103012
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English