Effectual and Scalable Methodology for Preparation of Fine HMX and RDX

Abstract

Fine 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX) and 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane (HMX) are used in warheads, HEAT ammunitions, plastic bonded explosives and propellants for improving their performance characteristics. A non-aqueous precipitation method was studied to obtain these nitramines in fine form (3–6 µm). The effect of agitation, solution to solvent concentration and ageing time on particle size were studied. Particle size and shape of fine nitramines were analysed on Malvern particle size analyser and scanning electron microscope, respectively. Fine nitramines were also analysed for their sensitivity and thermal characteristics. Especially, the polymorph analysis was carried out for fine HMX from X-ray diffraction pattern and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy spectra. Organic solvents were recovered at normal conditions and reused for consecutive studies. The overall study resulted in delivering economic, effluentless and safe process for preparation of fine nitramines between 3 and 6 µm size. The developed technology has a unique advantage of scaling up at any level.

Keywords:

• HMX
• RDX
• Precipitation
• Scale-up
• Distillation

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to KPS Murthy, Director HEMRL, Pune for permitting to publish the data.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

P.M. Jadhav http://orcid.org/0000-0002-7227-5156