Thermal Decomposition And Combustion Of Explosives And Propellants

This unique book investigates the synthesis, kinetics, and thermal decomposition properties and processing of energy-producing materials used in propellants, explosives, pyrotechnic, and gas-generating compositions. Thermal Decomposition and Combustion of Explosives and Propellants provides several mechanisms and stages for the thermal deco

Modern energetic materials include explosives, blasting powders, pyrotechnic m- tures and rocket propellants [1, 2]. The study of high-temperature decomposition of condensed phases of propellants and their components (liquid, solid and hybrid) is currently of special importance for the development of space-system engineering [3, 4]. To better understand the burning mechanisms (stationary, nonstationary, - steady) of composite solid propellants and their components, information about the macrokinetics of their high-temperature decomposition is required [5]. To be able to evaluate the ignition parameters and conditions of safe handling of heat-affected explosives, one needs to know the kinetic constants of their high-temperature - composition. The development of new composite solid propellants characterized by high performance characteristics (high burning rates, high thermal stability, stability to intrachamber perturbations, and other aspects) is not possible without quanti- tive data on the high-temperature decomposition of composite solid propellants and their components [6]. The same reasons have resulted in signi?cant theoretical and practical interest in the high-temperature decomposition of components of hybrid propellants. It is known that hybrid propellants have not been used very widely due to the low bu- ing (pyrolysis) rates of the polymer blocks in the combustion chambers of hybrid rocket engines. To increase the burning rates it is necessary to obtain information about their relationships to the corresponding kinetic and thermophysical prop- ties of the fuels.

This unique book investigates the synthesis, kinetics, and thermal decomposition properties and processing of energy-producing materials used in propellants, explosives, pyrotechnic, and gas-generating compositions. Thermal Decomposition and Combustion of Explosives and Propellants provides several mechanisms and stages for the thermal decomposition and combustion reactions of most flammable compounds and their mixtures, such asaliphatic and aromatic nitrocompounds, nitramines, nitroesters, organic azides, furazanes, tetrazols, difluoroamines, polynitrous heterocycles, and onium salts. The authors examine the classic problem of the dependence of explosive activity on molecular structure, using applications to predict the stability, compatibility, and the stabilization of explosives and propellant components. They also offer experimental results examining factors such as subsurface decomposition, evaporation, and dispersion of materials, which can be used to control combustion of condensed systems. Providing several approaches to stability, safety, and controlled combustion of flammable substances, Thermal Decomposition and Combustion of Explosives and Propellants is a multi-dimensional resource for graduate students, researchers and professionals interested in chemical kinetics, the combustion and synthesis of high-energy materials, criminal forensics, and the field of explosives, powders, and solid rocket propellants.

This second edition of the classic on the thermochemistry of combustion now features five new chapters and updated coverage of significant recent developments in the field. Addressing both experimental as well as theoretical aspects, the book covers the thermochemical and combustion characteristics of all important types of energetic materials, such as explosives, propellants, and the new class of pyrolants, as well as related phenomena. It presents the fundamental bases of the energetics of materials, deflagration and detonation, thermochemical process of decomposition and combustion, plus combustion wave structures. The book also goes on to discuss the combustion mechanisms of various types of energetic materials, propellants, and explosives, based on the heat transfer process in the combustion waves. The burning rate models are also presented as an aid to understanding the rate-controlling steps of combustion processes, thus demonstrating the relationships of burning rate versus pressure and initial temperature. As a major topic new to this edition, new propulsion methods such as duct rockets, ramjets, pulse motors and thrusters are described in detail, while appendices on flow field dynamics and shock wave propagation have been added.

This concise, easy-to-read book outlines the basic principles needed to understand the chemical mechanisms of explosion. Written for students with no previous knowledge of explosives but some understanding of chemical reactions in mind, it takes the reader through the history of explosives and introduces the concepts of high explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics. Covering combustion, deflagration, and detonation; ignition, initiation, and thermal decomposition; thermochemistry, thermodynamics and kinetics, the text includes detailed formulations and reactions presented with thermochemical calculations to aid understanding. This edition includes environmental legislation and its impact on explosives, together with a section on safety hazard tests. It also contains the latest developments in synthesis and manufacturing of explosives. Covering all aspects of the properties of explosives, The Chemistry of Explosives is a unique text which introduces difficult subjects in a readable manner. Ideal for A-level students and new graduates with no previous knowledge of explosive materials, it will also be useful to anyone needing succinct information on the subject, such as the more experienced chemist in the explosives sector.

This volume provides an overview of current research and recent advances in the area of energetic materials, focusing on explosives and propellants. The contents and format reflect the fact that theory, experiment and computation are closely linked in this field. The challenge of developing energetic materials that are less sensitive to accidental stimuli continues to be of critical importance. This volume opens with discussions of some determinants of sensitivity and its correlations with various molecular and crystal properties. The next several chapters deal in considerable detail with different aspects and mechanisms of the initiation of detonation, and its quantitative description. The second half of this volume focuses upon combustion. Extensive studies model ignition and combustion, with applications to different propellants. The final chapter is an exhaustive computational treatment of the mechanism and kinetics of combustion initiation reactions of ammonium perchlorate. Overall, this volume illustrates the progress that has been made in the field of energetic materials and some of the areas of current activity. It also indicates the challenges involved in characterizing and understanding the properties and behaviour of these compounds. The work is a unique state-of-the-art treatment of the subject, written by pre-eminent researchers in the field. - Overall emphasis is on theory and computation, presented in the context of relevant experimental work - Presents a unique state-of-the-art treatment of the subject - Contributors are preeminent researchers in the field

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an incredible place. It was conceived and born amidst the most desperate of circumstances. It attracted some of the most brilliant minds, the most innovative entrepreneurs, and the most c- ative tinkerers of that generation. Out of that milieu emerged physics and engineering that beforehand was either unimagined, or thought to be f- tasy. One of the ?elds essentially invented during those years was the science of precision high explosives. Before 1942, explosives were used in munitions and commercial pursuits that demanded proper chemistry and con?nement for the necessary e?ect, but little else. The needs and requirements of the Manhattan project were of a much more precise and speci?c nature. Spatial and temporal speci?cations were reduced from centimeters and milliseconds to micrometers and nanoseconds. New theory and computational tools were required along with a raft of new experimental techniques and novel ways of interpreting the results. Over the next 40 years, the emphasis was on higher energy in smaller packages, more precise initiation schemes, better and safer formulations, and greater accuracy in forecasting performance. Researchers from many institutions began working in the emerging and expanding ?eld. In the midst of all of the work and progress in precision initiation and scienti?c study, in the early 1960s, papers began to appear detailing the ?rst quantitative studies of the transition from de?agration to detonation (DDT), ?rst in cast, then in pressed explosives, and ?nally in propellants.

This third edition of the classic on the thermochemical aspects of the combustion of propellants and explosives is completely revised and updated and now includes a section on green propellants and offers an up-to-date view of the thermochemical aspects of combustion and corresponding applications. Clearly structured, the first half of the book presents an introduction to pyrodynamics, describing fundamental aspects of the combustion of energetic materials, while the second part highlights applications of energetic materials, such as propellants, explosives and pyrolants, with a focus on the phenomena occurring in rocket motors. Finally, an appendix gives a brief overview of the fundamentals of aerodynamics and heat transfer, which is a prerequisite for the study of pyrodynamics. A detailed reference for readers interested in rocketry or explosives technology.