Overview of surface studies on high energy materials at Mound
Since 1975 Mound has been examining the surface structure of high energy materials and the interaction of these materials with various metal containers. The high energy materials that have been studied include: the pyrotechnic TiH/sub x//KClO/sub 4/, the Al/Cu/sub 2/O machinable thermite, the PETN, HMX and RDX explosives, and two plastic bonded explosives (PBX). Aluminum and alloys of Fe, Ni and Cr have been used as the containment materials. Two aims in this research are: (1) the elucidation of the mechanism of pyrotechnic ignition and (2) the compatibility of high energy materials with their surroundings. New information has been generated by coupling Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) with thermal data. In particular, AES and XPS studies on the pyrotechnic materials and on thermites have shown the mechanism of ignition to be nearly independent of the type of oxidizer present but directly related to surface chemistry of the fuels. In studies on the two PBX's, PBX-9407 and LX-16, it was concluded that the Exon coating on 9407 was complete and greater than or equal to 100A; whereas in LX-16, the coating was < 100A or even incomplete. AES and scanning Auger have been used to characterize the surface composition and oxide thickness for an iron-nickel alloy and showed the thicker oxides to have the least propensity for atmospheric hydrocarbon adsorption. Data are presented and illustrations made which highlight this new approach to studying ignition and compatibility of high energy materials. Finally, the salient features of the X-SAM-800 purchased by Mound are discussed in light of future studies on high energy materials.
- Research Organization:
- Mound Facility, Miamisburg, OH (USA); Dayton Univ., OH (USA). Research Inst.
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-76DP00053
- OSTI ID:
- 6713955
- Report Number(s):
- MLM-2798(OP); CONF-801074-2
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 8. annual DOE compatibility meeting, Los Alamos, NM, USA, 14 Oct 1980; Other Information: Portions of document are illegible
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CHEMICAL EXPLOSIVES
COMPATIBILITY
IGNITION
ALUMINIUM
CHROMIUM ALLOYS
CONTAINERS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
IRON ALLOYS
NICKEL ALLOYS
SPECTROSCOPY
ALLOYS
DATA
ELEMENTS
EXPLOSIVES
INFORMATION
METALS
NUMERICAL DATA
450100* - Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense- Chemical Explosions & Explosives