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Title: RDX solubility in TNT at high temperatures

Journal Article · · Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry
ORCiD logo [1];  [2];  [3];  [4]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Engineering Sciences Center
  2. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Component Science, Engineering, and Production
  3. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Energetic Systems Research Dept.
  4. Air Force Research Lab., Eglin AFB (United States). Munitions Directorate, Ordnance Division, Energetic Materials Branch
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The solubility of RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-tri-nitro-1,3,5-triazine) in TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) at elevated temperatures is required to accurately predict the response of Comp-B3 (60:40 RDX:TNT) during accidents involving fire. As the temperature increases, the TNT component melts, the RDX partially dissolves in the liquid TNT, and the remaining RDX melts (203 °C) as the Comp-B thermally ignites. In the current work, we used a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) to estimate the solubility of RDX in TNT at the melting point of RDX. Most DSC measurements of Comp-B3 do not show an RDX melt endotherm. The absence of an endotherm associated with the RDX melt has been interpreted as RDX being completely dissolved in TNT before reaching the melting point. Here, we have observed that the endotherm is not absent, but is masked by exothermic reactions occurring at these elevated temperatures. We have inhibited the exothermic reactions by venting our DSC samples and measuring the RDX melt endotherm in our Comp-B3 samples at about 203 °C. Using the measured heat flow associated with the RDX melt and the latent melting enthalpy of RDX, we have approximated the solubility of RDX in TNT to be roughly 50–100 gRDX per 100 gTNT. The broad range is based on corrections for exothermic reactions occurring as the RDX melts.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
1574437
Report Number(s):
SAND-2019-12453J; 680374
Journal Information:
Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry, Vol. 134, Issue 3; ISSN 1388-6150
Publisher:
SpringerCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 2 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

References (5)

Study on the dissolution behaviors of CL-20/TNT co-crystal in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) journal October 2018
Application of the Peng–Robinson Equation of State to Energetic Materials RDX and TNT: Pure Components, Liquid Mixtures, and Solid Mixtures journal February 2016
A Study of Systems Involving Trinitrotoluene, rdx, Neno, and Dinitrobenzene, with Particular Reference to the Composition of the Binary Eutectics journal May 1947
Modeling the measured effect of a nitroplasticizer (BDNPA/F) on cookoff of a plastic bonded explosive (PBX 9501) journal November 2016
Dependence of Particle Size and Size Distribution on Mechanical Sensitivity and Thermal Stability of Hexahydro-1, 3, 5-trinitro-1, 3, 5-triazine [English] journal January 2009

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42 ENGINEERING
TG/DSC
RDX
TNT
Comp-B3
Solubility
Cookoff