Explosive and thermic compositions or charges – Containing nitrated organic compound – Nitrated acyclic – alicyclic or heterocyclic amine
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-14
2004-01-06
Carone, Michael J. (Department: 3641)
Explosive and thermic compositions or charges
Containing nitrated organic compound
Nitrated acyclic, alicyclic or heterocyclic amine
C149S019910
Reexamination Certificate
active
06673174
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of high performance plastic bonded explosive (PBX) compositions for use in explosive warheads for military weapons systems and comparable applications. The improved PBX compositions of the present invention have been found to demonstrate higher energy density and increased penetration power and impetus while maintaining material safety and handling characteristics comparable to conventional PBX compositions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is generally known in the art of military explosives to formulate plastic bonded explosive (PBX) compositions consisting of three principal components: (1) an oxidizer; (2) a binder; and, (3) a plasticizer. PBX formulations consisting of an oxidizer and a thermoplastic elastomeric (TPE) binder are also common. Based on their chemical properties, conventional binders are commonly characterized as either “energetic” or “inert”. Conventional oxidizers, whether energetic or inert, are termed “oxidizers.”
In general, conventional PBX compositions are prepared by adding the two or three ingredients, as solid powders or small particles, and in certain predetermined proportions, to the thermally jacketed container of a heated mixing device while maintaining a temperature inside the jacketed container of about 120° F. to 140° F., and blending the ingredients until the mixture is consistent and homogeneous. The thoroughly blended PBX mix is subsequently pressed and/or extruded into billets of the desired size for packing into warheads.
Two familiar oxidizers which can be used in conventional PBX compositions are: (1) HMX, a type of oxidizer standing for “High-Melting Point Explosive,” is also known as Octogen and is chemically known as cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine; and (2) RDX, a type of oxidizer standing for “Royal Demolition Explosive,” is also known as Cyclonite or Hexogen, and is chemically known as cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine. Descriptions of the chemical compositions and properties of HMX and RDX can be found in the following publication: “Engineering Design Handbook: Explosives Series Properties of Explosives of Military Interest,” Army Materials Command, National Technical Information Services, U.S. Department of Commerce (January, 1971). While HMX has commonly been used in explosive compositions, RDX is more commonly used in propellants.
Some known “energetic” binders used in PBX compositions include nitrocellulose, nitrostarch, polyvinylnitrate, and nitropolyurethanes. Some known inert binders used in PBX compositions include celluloseacetate (CA), celluloseacetate butyrate (CAB), hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), and polyurethanes. Some conventional energetic plasticizers are: BDNPF (Bis-2,2-Dinitropropyl Fumarate); NG (Nitroglycerin); Methyl/Ethyl Nena; Butyl Nena; MTN/DEGDN (Metriol trinitrate/Diethylene Glycol Dinitrate); and DEGDN (Diethylene Glycol Dinitrate). Some conventional inert plasticizers include: TA (Triacetin); DEP (DiethylPhathalate); and DBP (DibutylPhathalate).
Conventional PBX compositions could be improved, however, in several respects. First, a PBX composition demonstrating a higher energy density would be more effective in a warhead on a volume equivalent basis. Second, a PBX composition which, based on its explosive characteristics, provided increased penetration power and impetus would make the warhead in which it was used a more effective weapon. Improved weapons penetration is increasingly important. This improvement is required because increased penetration would enable the military weapons to successfully strike underground enemy installations such as laboratories, airports, and chemical and biological factories. Increasingly, hostile countries, often controlled by dictatorial rulers, are resorting to such underground facilities both to avoid detection by aerial surveillance as well as to secure those facilities against attacks. The only way of disabling such facilities would be an improved warhead penetration capability. At the same time, an improved PBX composition must also demonstrate good material safety, handling and storage characteristics, comparable to or better than the characteristics of conventional PBX compositions.
The improved PBX compositions of the present invention have been found to show surprisingly higher energy density and superior explosive characteristics while equaling or bettering the material safety and handling stability of conventional PBX compositions.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a general object of this invention is to provide improved high performance plastic bonded explosive (PBX) compositions for use in explosive warheads for military weapons and the like.
Another general object of this invention is to provide improved PBX compositions consisting essentially of an oxidizer, a binder and a plasticizer.
Still another general object of this invention is to provide improved PBX compositions having high energy density and increased penetration power.
Still another general object of this invention is to provide improved PBX compositions while maintaining material safety and handling and storage characteristics at least comparable to conventional PBX compositions.
A specific object of this invention is to provide improved PBX compositions in which the compound identified as CL-20 is the oxidizer.
Another specific object of this invention is to provide improved PBX compositions utilizing CL-20 as the oxidizer in combination with a binder selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl acetate and polyisobutylene.
Another specific object of this invention is to provide improved PBX compositions utilizing CL-20 as the oxidizer and triacetin as the plasticizer in combination with a binder selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl acetate and polyisobutylene.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter. The invention accordingly comprises, but is not limited to, the PBX compositions and the related products and methods using those PBX compositions as exemplified by the following description and examples. Various modifications of the chemical compositions described herein, including the addition of minor amounts of additional ingredients which do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the PBX compositions of this invention, and alternative products and methods using those compositions will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and all such modifications and variations are considered within the scope of this invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is generally directed to new and surprisingly more effective PBX compositions based on using a type of nitramine known as CL-20 as the oxidizer. It has now been found that PBX compositions utilizing CL-20 as the oxidizer, and particularly when the CL-20 is blended with particular combinations of binders and/or plasticizers, results in synergistic chemical combinations which demonstrate higher energy density and increased penetration power and impetus in military weapons applications. Preferred PBX compositions in accordance with the present invention consist essentially of CL-20 as the oxidizer, TA (triacetin) as an inert plasticizer or BDNPF, which is bis (2,2-dinitropropyl) fumarate, as an energetic plasticizer, and a binder selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl acetate and polyisobutylene.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
New and more effective plastic bonded explosive (PBX) compositions are prepared in accordance with the present invention based on the use of an energetic nitramine compound known as hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane, and generally identified in the literature as CL-20, as the oxidizer. CL-20 was developed by China Lake Chemical Co. in the early 1990s, and is currently manufactured in small, experimental quantities by Thiokol Corp. Descriptions of the chemical structure, preparation and current uses for CL-20 appear in U.S. Pat. No. 5,693,794 titled “Caged Polynitramine Compound” an
Carone Michael J.
Felton Aileen B.
Mills & Onello LLP
Textron Systems Corporation
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