2.
HMX is used in melt-castable explosives when mixed with TNT, which as a class is
referred to as "Octol". Additionally, polymer-bonded explosive compositions containing
HMX are used in the manufacture of missile warheads and armor-piercing shaped charges.
3. HMX is also used in the process of perforating the steel casing in oil and gas wells.
(7.3) POLYMORPHS OF HMX
(A) β-HMX
Other than direct use of β-HMX as received, it was possible to obtain it by recrystallization of
HMX from any solvent by appropriate conditions of stirring and time. β-HMX referred to as
“recrystallized β -HMX” was prepared by saturating acetone with β-HMX, adding water to
precipitate γ-HMX, and stirring until the γ-HMX was reconverted to β -HMX. The crystal
size of the recrystallized β-HMX was controlled by the stirring rate and the acetone-water
ratio.
(B) α-HMX
Process used for the preparation of α-HMX was to cool slowly a hot concentrated solution of
HMX in concentrated nitric acid. A second method was to reflux slurry of HMX with acetic
acid, propionic acid, or a mixture of the two acids.
C. γ-HMX
Different methods were used to prepare γ-HMX. Small to medium sized crystals of γ-HMX
were prepared by mixing a solution of HMX in largest plates formed the rate of dilution
acetone with water. The maximum dimensions could be varied between 1 and 60µ depending
upon of the acetone solution. Medium sized crystals, with the dimension of the largest
crystals between 50 and 200 µ, were prepared by stripping the solvent from a cyclohexanone
solution of HMX by sparging with steam. Other method was used to prepare crystals over
400 µ in the maximum dimension. The procedure was to dissolve HMX in 50 cc of boiling
concentrated nitric acid in a flask, cool rapidly under a stream of cold water while swirling,
and after crystallization filter, wash with water, and dry.
D. δ-HMX
δ-HMX can be prepared in two ways. The simplest was to heat β-HMX at temperature
between 159°C and 165°C, or over 190°C. The higher the temperature the shorter the time
required for conversion. The size of the δ-HMX crystals could be controlled by the size of the
β-HMX crystals since the β-HMX crystals usually transformed into single δ-HMX crystals if
the temperature was below 162°C.
(11) Process Study for PBX using high Density Inert Filler:
For formation of PBX, two techniques are used:-
1. Slurry Coating
2. Evaporative Coating
1. SLURRY COATING
High Energy Explosives based PBXs were prepared using slurry coating technique.
In slurry coating, PBX is prepared by coating the polymer on the HE particles in water slurry.
Polymers lacquer is mixed with HE water slurry and after recovery of 60-80% of solvent the
polymer-solvent-HE water slurry system subjected to quenching by addition of chilled water.
During quenching process polymer get precipitated out and get coated on HE particles which
are present in water.
Slection of Solvent-antisolvent system (water),ratio of HE-water define quality of product.
Densities:
Viton A - 1.8 g/cm³
HEM - approx 1.5-2.5 g/cm³
(Inert Filler) - 6-9 g/cm³
2. EVAPORATIVE COATING:
In evaporative coating, the solid particles are coated by polymers using evaporation
technique.Solvent-HE-polymer mixture is subjected to evaporation and during the process
ploymers get coated in to HE particles. So fast evaporation solvent with lower MP is
preferred for this process.
Slection of solovent , rate of evporation, stirring speed define the final product quality.
Ratio:
Viton-A: HEM: Inert filler
Ratio is as per required.
Advantages of evaporative coating over slurry coating:
1. Evaporative coating provides better tap density than that of slurry coating.
2. Product quality in terms of processing is higher in evaporative coating.
3. Coating efficiency is higher in evaporative coating
4. There is no water settling chance in suspended lacquer.
