Abstract
3and tensile strength, 0.5 MPa) was taken as reference and the effect of replacement of RDX by nitrotriazolone to the extent of 5–25% was studied. Inclusion of nitrotriazolone led to a remarkable increase in density (1:23! 1:41 g=cm 3) and mechanical properties (tensile strength: 0:46! 1:08 MPa). The major finding was increase in velocity of detonation by about an average 700 m=s over the reference composition. Velocity of detonation realized ranged from 6800 to 6900 m=s for RDX/nitrotriazolone/ Estane compositions. As regards sensitivity, nitrotriazolone-based compositions were relatively less vulnerable to impact and friction stimuli. Shock sensitivity of RDX/nitrotriazolone/Estane composition was also found to be of the order of 98–110 kbar as against 77 kbar for reference. The armor protection capability of nitrotriazolone-based composition against shaped charge was found to be at par with the corresponding RDX-based sheet explosive. Thermal studies revealed that nitrotriazolone and RDX incorporated sheet explosives with Estane binder decomposed as a unified composite, despite their widely differing decomposition/ignition temperatures.