Low-sensitivity explosive compositions

• US 6,881,283 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2002
• Issued: 04/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation), U.S. Government
• Original Assignee: Alliant Techsystems Incorporated (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Inventors: Lee, Kenneth E., Nicolich, Steve, Mezger, Mark, Braithwaite, Paul C.
• Primary Examiner(s): FELTON, AILEEN BAKER
• Application Number:
  US10/210,863
• Publication Number:
  US 20030094224A1
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 149/19.7, 149/45, 149/92
• US Class Current: 149/19.7
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 21/0083 Treatment of solid structures, e.g. for coating or impregnating with a modifier compositions therefor C06B23/00
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 25/34 the compound being a nitrated acyclic, alicyclic or heterocyclic amine
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 45/105 The resin being a polymer bearing energetic groups or containing a soluble organic explosive
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 45/24 the compound being an organic explosive or an organic thermic component

Abstract

An explosive composition is provided that includes 85 to about 96 weight percent nitramine, based on the total composition weight, and about 4 to 15 weight percent plasticized binder. At least 80 weight percent of the total composition weight, and more preferably 85 to 96 weight percent of the total composition weight, comprises 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetracyclo[5.5.0.0^5,90^3,11]-dodecane (CL-20) particles having an average particle size not greater than 30 microns as the nitramine. Methods for preparing an explosive from the explosive composition are also provide.

Claims

1. An explosive composition having a total composition weight, the explosive composition comprising:

greater than 85 weight percent to about 96 weight percent 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetracyclo[5.5.0.0^5,90^3,11]-dodecane (CL-20) particles based on the total composition weight, the CL-20 particles having an average particle size not greater than 30 microns; and

about 4 weight percent to less than 15 weight percent of a plasticized binder.

2. The explosive composition of claim 1, wherein the average particle size of the CL-20 particles is not greater than 10 microns.

3. The explosive composition of claim 1, wherein the average particle size of the CL-20 particles is in a range of 1 micron to 4 microns.

4. The explosive composition of claim 1, wherein the average particle size of the CL-20 particles is 1 micron to 2 microns.

5. The explosive composition of claim 1, wherein 100 percent of the CL-20 particles have a particle size less than 10 microns.

6. The explosive composition of claim 1, wherein 100 percent of the CL-20 particles have a particle size less than 4 microns.

7. The explosive composition of claim 1, wherein the CL-20 particles constitute greater than 85 weight percent to 95 weight percent of the total composition weight.

8. The explosive composition of claim 1, wherein the CL-20 particles constitute 94 weight percent to 95 weight percent of the total composition weight.

9. The explosive composition of claim 1, wherein the plasticized binder comprises cellulose acetate butyrate and bis-dinitropropyl acetal/bis-dinitropropyl formal.

10. The explosive composition of claim 1, wherein the explosive composition has a shock sensitivity under 140 cards, as measured by the NOL Card Gap Test.

11. An explosive composition having a total composition weight, the explosive composition comprising:

greater than 85 weight percent to about 96 weight percent nitramine based on the total composition weight, with at least 80 weight percent of the total composition weight comprising 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetracyclo[5.5.0.0^5,90^3,11]-dodecane (CL-20) particles having an average particle size not greater than 30 microns; and

about 4 weight percent to less than 15 weight percent of a plasticized binder.

12. The explosive composition of claim 11, wherein the average particle size of the CL-20 particles is not greater than 10 microns.

13. The explosive composition of claim 11, wherein the average particle size of the CL-20 particles is in a range of 1 micron to 4 microns.

14. The explosive composition of claim 11, wherein the average particle size of the CL-20 particles is 1 micron to 2 microns.

15. The explosive composition of claim 11, wherein 100 percent of the CL-20 particles have a particle size less than 10 microns.

16. The explosive composition of claim 11, wherein 100 percent of the CL-20 particles have a particle size less than 4 microns.

17. The explosive composition of claim 11, wherein the CL-20 particles constitute greater than 85 weight percent to 95 weight percent of the total composition weight.

18. The explosive composition of claim 11, wherein the CL-20 particles constitute 94 weight percent to 95 weight percent of the total composition weight.

19. The explosive composition of claim 11, wherein the plasticized binder comprises cellulose acetate butyrate and bis-dinitropropyl acetal/bis-dinitropropyl formal.

20. The explosive composition of claim 11, wherein the explosive composition has a shock sensitivity under 140 cards, as measured by the NOL Card Gap Test.