High Energy Materials Propellants, Explosives Andpyrotechnics

Propellants, explosives and pyrotechnics - or high energy materials (HEMs) to use an umbrella term - have obvious applications in the military sector, but can also be used in a variety of ways in civilian areas such as mining, construction or spacecraft engineering. The discovery of new explosives in the 1980s boosted research and development and paved the way for a systematic, purposeful synthesis of high energy materials.

This handbook and ready reference covers all important HEMs from the 1950s to the present with their respective properties and intended applications. Written at an attainable level for professionals, engineers and technicians alike, the book provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of HEMs and suggests further directions for research and development.
An introductory chapter on the chemical and thermodynamic basics allows the reader to become acquainted with the fundamental features of explosives, before moving on to the important safety aspects in processing, handling, transportation and storage of high energy materials.
With its collation of results and formulation strategies hitherto scattered throughout the literature, this unique handbook should be on the bookshelf of every HEM researcher and developer.

Highlights from the reviews:

"… this book will prove to be a goldmine for researchers working in this area. The eminent author, Dr. Jai Prakash Agrawal deserves kudos and appreciation from the entire HEMs community for his valuable contribution to the world of explosive's literature." –Institute of Energetic Materials

“This book is an excellent overview of the field of energetic materials, well structured in terms of materials and applications." –Chemistry World

"The work is clearly and appropriately divided into six chapters, and leads the reader through almost every aspect of high-energy materials. It is written in a way that is also understandable for readers other than chemists." –Angewandte Chemie

„… an excellent technical record of current-state-of-the-arts in the area of High Engergy Materials (HEMs)…“ –Dr. A. Subhanando Rao

Jai Prakash Agrawal is the former Director of Materials of the Indian Defence Research and Development Organization. He obtained his PhD in Chemistry from the Gorakhpur University, India, and did postdoctoral work at the University of Saint-Etienne, France, and at the Cavendish Laboratory of the University of Cambridge, UK. In recognition of his achievements Dr. Agrawal was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, London. The focus of his scientific and professional career is on research and development in the field of propellants, explosives and inhibitory materials. He has written a monograph on "Composite Materials" and is recipient of several honours including the prestigious DRDO Technology Award. Together with Robert Hodgson he has authored the book "Organic Chemistry of Explosives", John Wiley & Sons.

SALIENT FEATURES OF EXPLOSIVES

Definition

Classification

Fundamental Features

Additional Requirements for Military Explosives

Applications of Explosives (Military, Commercial, Space, Nuclear & Miscellaneous)

STATUS OF EXPLOSIVES

Historical Aspects

Status of Current and Future Explosives

Heat-Resistant / Thermally Stable Explosives (TATB, HNS, PATO etc.)

High Performance Explosives (HNIW/ CL-20 etc.)

Melt–Castable Explosives

Insensitive High Explosives

Energetic Materials Synthesized using Dinitrogen Pentoxide

Newly Reported Explosives

Important Formulations Based on TATB, CL-20 and NTO

Insensitive Munitions & Some New Insensitive Explosives/Formulations

Basic Lead Azide

Hexakis (azidomethyl)benzene

Tetraamine-cis-bis(5-nitro-2H-tetrazolato-N2) cobalt (III) perchlorate

Octanitrocubane

Nickel Hydrazine Nitrate

Furazans, Furoxans & Tetrazines Based Explosives

High Nitrogen Content-High Energy Materials 

Future Scope for Research

PROCESSING AND ASSESSMENT TECHNIQUES FOR EXPLOSIVES

Processing Techniques for Explosives

Formulation Fundamentals

Assessment of Explosives

PROPELLANTS

Classification of Propellants

Liquid Propellants

Solid Propellants

Hybrid Propellants

Thixotropic Propellants

Performance of Propellants

Formulation of Gun Propellants

Ingredients of Gun Propellants

Low Vulnerability Gun Propellants

Liquid Gun Propellants (Hydroxyl Ammonium Nitrate and DMAZ)

Ingredients of Solid Rocket Propellants

Oxidizers (Ammonium Nitrate, Ammonium Dinitramide and Hydrazinium Nitroformate) 

Polyurethanes as Binders (Castor Polyols, Hydroxy Terminated Polybutadiene)

Novel Binders (Lactone Terminated Polybutadiene, ISRO Polyol, Hydroxy Terminated Natural Rubber)

Energetic Binders [Nitrated Cyclodextrin Polymers,GAP, Nitrated HTPB, Poly (NiMMO), Poly (GlyN), Energetic Thermoplastic Elastomers]

Metal Fuels

Plasticizers [ Nitroxy Ethyl Nitramine Plasticizers (Methyl, Ethyl, Propyl &Butyl NENAs), Polynitro Aliphatic Plasticizers ( BDBPF, BDNPA), Rowanite8001/ K-10,

Azido Plasticizers, Energetic Oligomeric Plasticizers and Nitrate Ester Plasticizers]

Bonding Agents

Stabilizers

Burn –rate Modifiers

Inhibition of Rocket Propellants

Insulation of Rocket Motors

PYROTECHNICS

General Features of Pyrotechnics

Ingredients of Pyrotechnic Formulations

Important Characteristics of Ingredients for Pyrotechnic Formulations

Types of Pyrotechnic Formulations

Performance Assessment of Pyrotechnic Formulations

Life of Ammunition with Pyrotechnic Devices

Nanomaterials: Various Aspects and Use in HEM Formulations

Recent and Future Trends in Pyrotechnics

EXPLOSIVE AND CHEMICAL SAFETY

Safety

Explosive Safety

Fire Safety

Safety Aspects for Transportation of Explosives and Ammunition

Safety Aspects for Storage of Explosives and Ammunition

Safety Aspects for Handling of Explosives and Ammunition

Static Electricity Hazards

Extremely Insensitive Detonating Substances and Ammunition

Hazard and Risk Analysis

Chemical Safety

Prevention and Elimination of Explosions, Accidents and Fires