NSVC TR 79-181

OVERVIEWS OF HNSPRODUCTION / PROPERTIES / APPLICATIONS

LI-,

BY E. EUGENE KILMER

RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT )D Cn.E)r~iin nrp

3JULY 1979 191L

E

= NAVAL SURFACE WE W.POI ENrE

Do-m-s -kn 2 I m-~mMn&

REPORT DOCUMENTATION PAGE B EFORECIAPEIGFR*~ ~ 2 29t GOVT ACCeSISO,1jtO. 3RCPCY C LGIUMU~fM

HSWC Tit-79-181 _____________

Overviews of HIS Production/Properties/ 1 Jn17 a 99

Applications. rag-, -UPf~w OfG I-fTNW

I AUHGRfIj C CONTR~ACT 0OR GRANT NUMUICRtO)

~E. Eugene-Kilmer

SPIRPVORNI%G 00OAP4SZATIOke eiA.14 404 A0011CSS 10, PStOGNA~kM .tg1 PRO ICST. TASKNaval. Surface W~aponIs Center AfAIyR NTNNR

Silver Spring, HD 20910 OAS;3569Z

"I CoT#R01.ý'.GF?9# OOAUt AtO ADVR(1ES I:mPOUT DA. 7

31T1.~~,m 1 4 o£.t...v 11 Ik( 6 AD0Rf$Iqt 4100,..-1fIr. Otflter 1S 5gCCURIY CLA%$, (of I%$e Pt..e41

UNCLASSIFIED

Ap;ýrcvc_- for ;ut,110 rt1lzumc; 11strc1ibti.-n unI "-ted.

12 VISTUPDUe10i ST ATCWCN? .1to# M* "e,.oc ... e.*4g Iý e Rjs It ~tl.*mI fr. Ree1

toS UPPLtutwTA13 4Ot

Thermally Stable ExplosivesHexanitrostilbene9 xplosive productionDetonating Cords

PRACT (C4t*M mp ,en ew 64" It fteeoeavy &-* 1000fiIf' 1,?W~ Metws

4 Rexanitrostilbene (HXS) has been ustd within the U.S. govers~entlindustriLcomplex since the early 1960's. Chemical process variables leave such to bedesired in terms of product purity and control of particle geonetry. Theexplosive HNS-1, from the Shipp process, is normally fine, flat platelets

4 ~~which have been found to contatin upwards to 6% hexanitrobiberazyl. (11IM ) orq dipicrylethane (DPE) as an impurity. Attempts to remove this impurity by mul-

tiple washing* has resulted in recys sed sascerial of a newV geometry and

DD I t,,7 1473 eoiTIo" or 1 Nov as is oSoL.CT9 WNIASSUIZDF </1SINOIO~L~1J4O1SICURITY CLASI$PICATION Or T"IS PAOIE (who Ew DRa 'ft~li)

NfI1.l A •2T Y PfYlI•_

S20. (Cont.)

.onsequently larger particle size. The large particle size is undesirable inmany applications. The explosive HNS-Il, first recrystalillied by theTaylor-Oesterling process, is usually accomplished by extra fion by dual-orSanic.solvents. Mit recently, HNS has been recrystallized from nitric acid.The thermal stability of the HNS recrystallized from nitric acid appears to bedifferent ff'outhe HNS recrystallized from organic solvents as demonstrated inthe low core load detonating cords. The chemical/explosive properties will beFliscussed.

HNS has found many applications throughout the aerospace industry inexplosive components for high speed aircraft and spacecraft and has bece"incorporated into a PBX seismic charge. The properties of this PBX will bediscussed.

0 1 1

UNCLASSIFIEDSECUR•ITY CLASUVICATION ,oP"TM|; PAGO(CI,( DM•* FM•tW4

-0-.

NSWC TR 79-181

SUKXARY

OVERVIEWS OF IINS PRODUCrION/PROPERTIES/APPLICATIONS

This report covers a review conducted in part for the NASA Lyndon B. JohnsonSpace Center, Houston, Texas under NSWC Task RI2ZB. 11exanitrostilbene (HNS),a thermally stable explosive, has been qualified for applications in the NASAcomplex and in many Navy applications. The explosive is synthesized by severalvendors in the United States using the Shipp process. Variable purities havebeen found with the major impuriLy being hexanitrobibenzyl (IINB) or dipicrylethane(DPE). The HNS is used it% detonating cords and large explosive charges.The author viahes to acknowledge the detonation velocity work done byMr. Charles Goode, the chemical analyses by Ms. Eleonore Kayser, and the scanningelectron photomicroscopy by Dr. Marriner Norr.

'j"

JULIUS W. ENIGBy direction

G"

p• -# -' . " •33;.

S//

1/2

S.. . .. . •. . .. ' - .'- .. . • •- . . ' .• _ '. _ ' . . -•- . ., - ' . . .•."4

NSWC TR 79-181

i-

zI

CONTENTS

Page

Introduction .......................................................... 5

IHNS Synthesis/Particle Geometry ....................................... 5

Availability of tINS Explosive ........................................ 7

Application of Itexanitrostilbene ...................................... 9

Sum ary ............................................................... 9

References ............................................................ 11

ILLUSTRATIONS

Figure P4

I HPLC Trace of a Synthetic Mixture of Potential tINS ImpuritiesS(NSWC) ........................................................ 'ls

2 SMDC End Booster ... .......................................... 15

3 Crystal Growth HNS-I .......................................... 14

4 Detonation Transfer Arrangement McDonnell Douglas Cooperation 15

5 Hexanitrostilbene-Fragpent Initiation Sensitivity at a 50%Fire Response with Steel Barrier Thickness vs ExplosiveSurface Area at the 0.'500 Air Gap ............................. 16

6 Hexanitroctilbene-Fragment Initiation Sensitivity at a 50%Fire Response with Steel Barrier Thickness vs ExplosiveSurface Area at the Q'.'100 Air Gap ............................. 17

3

0

NSWC TR 79-181

TABLES

Tabie Page

I Quantitative HNS Data ......................................... 18

2 Availability-Hexanitrostilbene (OINS) .......................... 18

3 Detonation Velocity/Chemical Analysis after ElevatedTemperature Storage @425°F HNS-I1 Silver MDC ................. 19

4 Explosive Technology SHDC Su=ary (Major Progr~s Only) ........ 20

5 Physical and Explosive Properties of Hlexanitroatilbene, HNS/TEFLON Compared to RILX ....................................... 21

14

NSWC TR 79-181

Introduction

Hiexanitrostilbene (HNS) has been produced in the United States by theShipp process1 , 2 since the early 1960's. This one step process, fromTNT and commercial bleach, was the only synthetic route to HNS for manyyears. Earlier work by Reich,s reporting on findings on the preparationof hexanitroutilbene, shows a melting point of 211 0C, but it is believedthat this material was probably hexanitrobibenzyl (IINBiB) instead ofhexanitrostilbene as claimed. Recent literature shows effort by StullIsand Clink' to icprove the quality of the H1S, the efficiency of the Shippprocess and alternate routes of synthesis.

The Hungarian patent by Tompalthy' et al, suggests a route of synthesisfor HNS by using an oxidation catalyst; a metal complex of cobalt or copper.A duplication of this work has met with little or no success in theUnited States. The British have patented a process as an inprovement overthe Shipp process by reacting TNT in the presence of ammonia or an amine. 1

HNS Synthesis/Particle Geometry

It is inherent in the synthesis of HNS that many side reactions takeplace forming a number of impurities which are caught up in the HNS crystal

on precipitation from the red tar fraction. Kayser' at the Naval SurfaceWeapons Center (NAVSWC) has identified at 'east twelve by-products of thereaction by using a combination of thin layer chromatography (TLC) andnuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR).

In addition, Schaffer" has developed a method to analyze HNS samplesusing high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The izpurity appearingin the largeat percentage is the hexanitrobibenzyl. A graphicalrepresentation of the appearance of these materials as they occur on theHPLC reverse-phase column$ is pointed out in Figure 1. This syntheticmixture contains the basic impurities found in fINS although all of these do"not appear in eve.ry lot of HNS that is produced from the methods indicatedabove. Each vendor will usually have a range of percentages of variousimpurities depending on the method and the process control. A tabulationof the results of a number of chemical assays from HNS produced by severalvendors can be seen in Table I. These values should be considered to betypical and not necessarily limited to the single percentages of compoundsindicated on the table. For example, HNS-I, prepared by vendor C, Vill assay

1t 7. 8.

z7-1 Z:

W4 "I'4; I t

NSWC TR 79-181

at 95.9% HNS depending on the range of assay for the HNBiB. Empty columnsare indicative of purity from that particular compound. Since the sourcecolumn letters do not duplicate identical vendors for IIHNS-I and HNS-II, theX TNT column indicates three vendors had some percentage of the original,

-4 unreacted starting material appearing in the final product. From a chemicalpurity viewpoint, these iapurities are undesirable but it is probablyimpractical to "clean-up" the product unless it is justifiable. This brings

up the question of how is the crystal geometry effected by any "clean-up"or whether one should be concerned with any change in the geometry of theHNS crystal At all? Unfortunately, the shape of the IINS crystal has asignificant effect on the explosive response to fragment initiation.In addition, in small diameter explosive train hardware, this can also becritical to the reliability of performance if there is any significantchange in the particle geometry of the acceptor explosive. To get thisinto perspective, a requirement for a new type explosive component wasdeveloped in the early 1960's to meet the needs of the F-1ll Aircraft

* Program. This explosive comporient had both capabilities of being a donorand/or an acceptor. Peculiar to the design was the fact that after muchexpenditure of time and money, the design could be faulted only when therecrystallized, large particle size 1114S was used throughout the component.

* The thermal requirements were well below any temperature which would causeproblems with the relatively impure HNS which crystallized out of the redtar fraction of the organic synthesis. It wax discovered at the outset ofthe testing of the explosive component, that only the thin platelets ofSHNS-I would support a reliable detonation transfer. The explosive componentin question was the shielded mild detonating cord (SMDC)|I'S and is

tihown in Figure 2. The end coupler charge of HNS is the key to the reliableperformance of the component when the end coupler is the donor. The base chargesection is the key to reliable detonation transfer when the end coupler is theacceptor. Several papers have been written describing earlier work",

K on the development of the end coupler for the SKDC line. The point is theparticle shape/size of the HNS signific#ntly influences the performance ofthe SNDC explosive component. A photomicrograph of the HNS-1 as it was firstsynthesized is shown in Figure 3. The HNS-I sample, ID 714, is typical ofthe particle sizc and shape of the explosives used in the end coupler, andis typical of the 1INS from the Shipp process. On the same illustration, a

photomicrograph is shown of 14NS-I (ID 1987) explosive produced by the Shippprocess but allowed to stand in large holding tanks for many hours awaitingthe next step of the process. ID 1987 ia typical of HNS-l which has beenallowed to grow under conditions of large volume recrystallization.

However, in view of the crystal growth, particle size, bulk densitycharge, change in explosive sensitivity, etc., IINS-I is a misnomer for thislot of H1NS. This type of liNS explosive is considered to be an HNS-I/14S-IIhybrid for further reference. For example, a similar lot of HNS-I wastested in the laboratory for fragment initiation sensitivity. It vasfabricated into the base charge section of the SMDC component. This unitwas used as an acceptor and tested with a standard SMDC tip as the donor,In this special case, a special thickness of steel barrier was specified over

F a range of 0!003 to 0.'025 to be implemented by using steel shims of variablethickness to be substituted for the cup bottom of the acceptor. The donorand acceptor were set up at 0.'500 and 0'7100 air gap between them for the two

6

NSWC TR 79-181

tests as shown in Figure 4. The shim thicknesses were varied for the tests,and the results of these test firings, with a limited number of shots atvarious barrier (cup) thicknesses, are shown in Figures 5 and 6. The resultsare plotted as the 50% fire response from the SHDC donors' fragment stimulus.The results from tests in the end-to-end initiation configuration as shownin Figure 5 are from the typical arrangement of this ordnance in actualapplication; except for the penalized air gap. Since this has been the accepteddesign for at least 15 years, reduced thickness barriers are as expected,even for the decreased sensitivity of the fNS hybrid material. The resultsin Figure 6 indicate HNS-l is an acceptable material in the cup of the SNDCtip even at 0.'1 air gap in a aide-to-end initiation configuration. The resultsare consistent with the increase in explosive surface area (reduced particlesize), the donor remaining constant, the steel barrier thickness can beincreased at the acceptor without reducing the reliability of initiation ofthe acceptor. The question of integrity of the SMDC system is centered aboutthe plot of data in Figure 6 where a complete reversal in the performanceof the acceptor is shown as the surface area decreases and the barrierthickness drops below five mils thickness with the IINS-II loading. The aide-to-end initiation of an acceptor is one of the most undesirable methods ofinitiation at beit but to combine this with =ore insensitive explosives inthe acceptor S!DC line is asking for reduced performance in the form of afailure to initiate at design barrier thickness parameter (cup bottom).It points out that HINS-1t is not acceptable in the end cup and is anindication rhat any hybrid IINS explosive could approach this area of designmargin if the surface area became small enough. Even in view of the smallr.ts=ber of ?-qa the rrosults are cnelusive and the standard deviation of"12 mils would not be expected to change with an increase in the sample stize.After reviewing over 50 separate lots of iINS-l from industry in the UnitedStates and three lots from England, there have been only two lots of HNS-Ifrom the United States and none from England which showed this HNS-I hybridstructure. Therefore, only 47X of the lots produced in the United States havebeen in holding tank.s for an abnormally longer time period than with the otherfINS processes. The washing procedures for HNS-I ahould be -areitlly controlledbut the probability of approaching the "worst-case" situation in crystalgrowth is small. A change in the margin of performance in SHDC end boostershas been defined but it is not expected to effect the ultimate perfor-manceof the explosive hardware.

This discussion has been pointed entirely toward a specific piece ofordnance: the SHDC explosive component. The choice of whether the designershould use IINS-I or HNS-II depends on various constraints of environment andmechanical design on the final design which is on a per case basis. Aside"from component usage, a recent demand for HNS as a nucleating agent in thecontrol of the recrystallization of TNT's during casting has heen cited.The literature does not define which HNS to use in this process. Unless thereis some technical reason influencing the behavior of the TNT by using HNS-Ias opposed to HNS-Il, then the more economical route would be to use theHNS-1.

,V " Availability of HNS Explosive

The availability of both HN1S-I and HNS-I1 has been increasing over the

.j-~ 7I

'4

-. -, - .:• --. - -. • .. .,- -.

NSWC TR 79-181

last five years. Teledyne McCormick Selph, United Technologies, Hason andHanger and Ensign Bickford have been added to the list as shown in Table 2.Note that some companies have chosen to make only ENS-I or HNS-Il and somehave chosen to make both types of materials. The British have producedHNS-i by their modified Shipp process and are using it to improve thecrystallization or nucleation of the TNT melt in shell explosive loadingfacilities.

All of the companies currently producing IINS-l and IINS-11 have beeninvestigated. Historical samples have been collected from the earlyAmerican Cyanamid productions and from the latest products available by allvendors. Inherent in the HNS synthesis, is the production of hexanitro-bibenzyl (HNBiB) and small amounts of the impurities. The production of theHNBiB depends primarily on the temperature control of the reaction mixtureand on the temperature at which the HNS reaction is carried out. it israther difficult to remove except through many washings as has been pointedout earlier. In Table 1 the column heading & "P.P." is defined as unknownmaterial/materials which requires more study to analyze. Recrystallizationof HNS removes the majority of these icpurities but definitely changes thecrystal geometry.

The recrystallization of HNS-i has been studied by Taylor,14 O'Keefe, 1 77 Sandoval ,19 Quinlin,20 and SyropZ1 using organic solvents. Taylor

studied the recrystallization of ENS to improve the bulk density of thematerial for loading into mild detonating cord (HDC), and flexible linearshaped charge (FLSC). Ile found that acetonitrile/toluene was effective forHNS as a double solvent system %n the continuous extraction- reurystallizationapparatus. Syrop also found continuous extraction-recrystallization to beeffective with acetonitrile/xylene according to his patent. The flowproperties of the recrystallized ENS is satisfactory for loading into MDCand FLSC. This particular application of ENS-IH is the largest of all theusea of HNS-Il. It has been produced from lot sizes of a few kilos to 45 Kglots in the United States. Laboratory size glassware and stainless steelkettles are being used to recrystddlize the ENS now being produced in theUnited States. All vendors have proprietary rights in the processing ofthe material but a careful review of the end product reveals a crystalgeometry characteristic of the solvent/snlvents used in the process.In the manufacture of IINS-Il, the demand or the requirement for aparticular particle size/geometry is not as critical in the performanceof the end product hardware as was HNS-I. Both HNS-I and HNS-Il can beloaded into cords but the HNS-Il has the more desirable flow characteristics.

Two vendors, Chemtronics and Teledyne McCormick Selph supply IINS-I1processed from nitric acid solvent. This method of recrystallization ofHNS was not accomplished until the early 1970's. The processes are atillproprietary to both companies. The crystal geomet.y and site appear to becontrollable but is inherently large. The flow properties of the HNS and

0 the more economical processing of the explosive makes it more attractive tothe user but not without a serious drawback. The problem with this materialwhen loaded into detonating cords is that the thermal stability of theexplosive is pennlized as is shown in Table 3. This is substantiated by poorperformance demonstrated by the MDC when compared to the performance of the

0. . .. ...

r, •- ,-ii o- .- ^

NSWC TR 79-181

organic solvent recrystallized material tested under the same conditions. 22 23

The work published by Gould 2 ' at the Sandia Laboratories points out thelimiting factor in the thermal stability of IINS produced currently in thepresence of dipicrylethane (DPE) or hexanitrobibenryl.

The availability of H1S within a short time frame is variable dependingon the demand and the availability of solvents, however most of the vendorswill furnish the explosive in 45 Kg lots.

Application of Hexanitrostilbene

lINS has found many applications throughout the aerospace industry inexplosive components for high-speed aircraft and spacecraft. It has alsobeen incorporated into a plastic bonded explosive charge (PBX). Specialcomponents such as the SMGDC line, as shown in Table 4. is the largest userof fiNS. As has been pointed out, fiNS-I must be used in the end coupler/endtip arrangement. Many thousands of these units have been fabricaited andtested to a high demonstrated reliability.

The largest explosive charges made with |INS were fabricated for theAPOLLO 17 Lunar Seismic Profiling Experiment.2S

In these charges, lHNS-Il was blended with Teflon-7C (E. I. duPontdeNemoura Co. Trademark) isostaticallv presned, and machined to the propershape for the application by Hisener. A better understanding of thethermal properties of the explosive and inert binder has been published byElban,' who developed values of thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivityfor the explosive blend and the inert siculant for the charge. Additionalproperties are shoun in Table 5. Montesi" studied the explosive sensitivityof 1INS/Teflon 90/10 by a series of verification tests. The probabilitiesof detonation transfers between the in-line explosive components weredetermined by the VARICOXP test 2 • method and exceeded 0.9999 at 95%confidence for all interfaces in the explosive train. The explosive chargeswere subjected to vigorous vibration testing and were accepted for flightenvironment. The explosive charges fabricated for this mission range frombooster size (60 gin) to main charge size (2.7 Kg). It demonstrates theusefulness of the explosive blend and future possibilities in explosive traindesign. At the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory (LLL), Golopol"o blends 95 wt%HNS-I and 5 wtZ Kel-F 800 to form an acceptable explosive composition for useas an explosive booster. Several papers have been written on the detonationproperties of 1iNS where 11anesil measured the unreacted Hiugoniots of HNSand Lee" developed an equation of state for the detonation products ofHiNS at various charge densities.

The Shipp process is probably the most used and most economicalsynthesis of HNS-I at the present time in the United States. The Taylor-Oesterling recrystallization process for HN4S-1 to form HNS-1I, yields materialwhich has better thermal stability than the material recrystallized fromnitric acid. All HNS produced in the United States by qualified vendorsappears to retain the thermal qualities of the basic explosive material.

J

r

NSWC TR 79-181

There is however, a considerable percentage of imurities. Hexanitrostilbenerecrystallized from nitric acid, should not be used in detonating cords.Manufacturers of HNS-I should be awaire of crystal growth brought about byretaining the explosive in holding tanks for long periods of time.

HNS-1 or HNS-I1 may be combined with a proper binder and pressed intoan acceptable explosive charge with good mechanical and thermal properties.

ini

k.c

I,,

NSWC TP. 79-181

.KEEF.NCES

1. Shipp, K. G., "'hqt Rcsistsnz Explosives XVI, a New Synthesis of 2,2',4•4', 6,6' - laxnnitrostilbene, HNS," 22 Apr 1964.

2. Shipp, K. C., "Hexanimntilbene," Vt. S. Patent 3,505,413, patented7 Apr 1970.

3. Reich, S., et a1, "Uber das 2, 4, 6 - Trinitro-beoylbromid und seineDcrivara," Chem. Gtr. 45, p. 3055 (1912).

4 , Stull, T. W., "Synthe©xa of 119b Purity He-anitroatilbene," HISMP-75-37,Serj 1975.

5. Stul 1. I. W.. "Effect of Variation of THF, Me.Ol, anJd TNT Concentrationsfrcm Optimi cn Yield in the Continuous HNS-I Synthesis Process,",ltSP-76-30F, Apr 1¶76.

6. ClinO, C. L., "Alternate IINS Synthesis Routee," ?OISHP-77-12, Mar 1977.

7. Tcmpolthy, T, et A.1 "A Proccgs for the Pr~paration of 2,2'. 4,4'6,6' - lfex4nitrooýilbene." Rung. Teljes 9,639 (C1.CO6f), 28 Apr 1975.

8. Salter, 0. A.. et al, "2.2', 4,4', 6,' - Ilexanitrostilbene," BritishPatent 27 02 463, patented 28 Jul 1977.

• 9. Ka~yser, E. G., "Ansly'zio• of 2,2', 4,4', 6,6' - Hexanitroatilbene (RNS)by Hiigh Prosxuate Liquid Chrm~togrvphy," NSWC/WOL TIR 77-154, 14 Mar 1978.

10. Schaffter, C. V.. "WIS by Liqvid Chromatography," MHSHP-77-51, 1977.

It. Kil~Ar, E. 9.,, "End Coupler for Heat Resistant Mild Detonating Fuse,"U.S. Patent 3,93,395 p tenotd 6 Jul 1975.

-12. Kilter. E. t., "Hthod for Prepatin$ 1Peat •,•aistant Mild Detonating Fuse,"U.S. Patent 3,903,800 *eatnted 9 Sep 197i.

13. Xil~cr, E. Z., "End Booster for Heat Reeatant Hld Ottonating Fuse,"K. ?$QIJR 65-98, 6 Apt 1966.

- - 14., Kii-e4, E. F., "ldat Resi*4aiit Explosives for Space Applications,"5J. pacecrAft 5, 10, !216 (1968).

I

C*P

NSWC TR 79-181

15. Back, S. S., et al, "Explosive," Svedish patent 1,249,038 patented6 Oct 1971.

16. Taylor, F., et al, "Heat Resistant Explosives, XX Production of Grade 11HNS," NOLTR 65-142, 26 Aug 1965.

17. O'Keefe, D. M., "Digestion as a Process Aid for Hexanitrostilbene,"

SAND 76-0330, Feb 1977.

18. Sandoval, J., ".•NS Crystallization Studies," XHSHP-75-24H, Apr 1975.

S19, Sandoval, J., "HtNS Crystallization Studies," MHSHP-76-2, Oct 1975.

20. Quinlan, W. T., et aI, "HNS.-I1 Pilot Scale Studies and Production TrialRun," HHSHP 76-41, Sep 1976.

21. Syrop, L. J., "Process for Recrystallizing 1lexcnntrostilbene," U. S. Patent3,699,176 patecnted 17 Oct 1972.

22. Kilmer, E. E., "Hexanitrostilbene Recrystallized from Nitric Acid,'NSWC/WOL TR 78-209, in publication.

23. Kilmer, E. E., "Detonating Cords Loaded with Hexanitrostilbene (HNS)Recrystallized from Acid or Organic Solvents," NSWC/WOL TR 75-142,2 Sep 1975.

24. Gould, D. J., "The Thermal Stability of Hexanitrostilbene as Determinedby Precise Measurements of Detonation Velocity," (SAND 75-5876),27 Apr 1976.

25. Kilmer, E. E., "Plastic Bonded, Thermally Stable Explosive for an APOLLOExperimnt." J. Spacecraft 10, 7, 463 (1973).

26. Hisener, C. C., "Explosives for a Lunar Seismic Profiling Experiment,"NOLTR 72-95, 15 May 1972.

27. Elban, IW. L., "The Development of an Inert Simulant for tNS/TeflonExplosive." NOLTR 72-255, 14 Nov 1972.

28. Montesi, L. J., "The Safety and Reliability of the S and A HechanismaDesigned for the NASAILSPE Program," NOLTR 72-294, 23 Jan 1973.

29. Ayres, J. N., et al, "Varicomp, A e-thod for Determining Detonation TransferProbabilities," NAVWEPS Report 7411, 30 Jun 1961.

30. Golopol, H. A., et al, "A New Booster Explosive, LX-15 (RX-28-AS),"UCRL-52175, 18 lar 1977.

31. Hanes, L. D., et *1, "Unreacted Hugoniot. and Detonation Sensitivity ofHINS-I," IMH5P-75-25, Jun 1975.

32. Lee, E. L., et al, "Equation of State for the Detonation Products oftexanitrostilbene at Various Charge Densities," UCID-17134, I May 1976.I1

___

NSWC TA 79131

UP KAU& U.KWlWt 77-154 a4mAILUS TOF1E1 (.r. 4,4 6AQIFUSNANCEUM L CW0WATOVJWI A

RA'ft 1IA MWAKM TVRAMG 04PfiESS W p1i HuSPOCOLUMN Cell 8NWOAPAI (REVOSM PKIS3 OVE4SoCvWlT 40% MOOR% mmOSLVE

WME

Rm (T)

/ 40 2513 105

FIGURE 1 HPLC TRACE OF A SYNTHETIC MIXTURE OF POTENTIAL HNS IMPURITIES (NSWC)

WN COUPLERi EKAML zr COW

kMR

MWC2% 3% GW 114

FIGURE 2 SMOC END SOOSTER

13

C- 'o

NSWC TR M.llS

SA

- ~ LABORATORY

BI i I"• .. • GLASSWARE

10714

Li-

• LARGE

FIGURE 3 CRYITAL GROWTH HUM-1

'4

~ o

NSWC TR 79191

STEEL BARRIER

AIR GAPE D ONO0.5 INCH ACCEPTOR

ENDTO

END

DONOR

SIDE @ AIRTOQ GAP

END 0,1 INCH

ACCEPTOR

FIGURE 4 DETONATION TRANSFER ARRANGEMENT Md)ONNELLDOUGLAS COOPERATION

19

NSWC TR 79-181

?p

EIi

25SUPERFINEHNS-I HNS-I

222 122471 , TO ENDI•~2 - ID --,• .. _ JL_ I05 AIR GAP

a15 R

..-.

• SMDC CUP5 DESIGN THICKNESS

S0 I !

25K 50K lOOK 150K

FIGURE 5 HEXANITROSTILBENE-FRAGMENT INITIATION SENSITIVITY AT A 60% FIRERESPONSE WITH STEEL BARRIER THICKNESS VS EXPLOSIVE SURFACE AREAATTHE 0." WO AIR GAP

16

C

NSWC TR 79-181

25

20-

SUPERFINE15 HNS.I HNS-I

10202841N ID2297 I2S |D2087 • __ I.

N ~10

HNSIIHNS-11 HYBRID

0 -O" HNS-i. ... MD CUP X - HNS-11

DESIGN THICKNESS102323

S0 I i I

25K 50K !00K 150K

FIGURE 6 HEXANITROSTILBENE.FRAGMENT INTITATION SENS5TIVITY AT A60% FIRE RESPONSE WITH STEEL BARRIER THICKNESS VSEXPLOSIVE SURFACE AREA AT THE 0." 100 AIR GAP

17

* I

NSWC TR 79-1811-

TABLE 1 OUANTITATIVE HNS DATA

% COMPOSITION DETERMINED FROM RESPONSE FACTORSi4

- SOURCE HNS.I HNflm TNB PICH20H FPCHO TNT ?Jr

A 99.4+ P44 0.2 ...

B 93.9+ 1.6 02 0.1 0.8

C 95.9+ 0.64 TRACE 05 0.1___O 99.0+ 07 02

E 98.0+ 17 02 TRACE TRACE

A HNS.II99.4 u

99.6+ 0&1 03

C 982+ 043 X00.1 03D 9.1+ 0.7 0+_

E 99.o+ i.5 ..

TABLE 2 AVAILABILITY*HEXANITROSTILBENE (HNS)

SOURCE TYPE

CHETRONINCS HNS.lHNS-41

- ~MASON ft HANGER-.SILAS MASON CO., INC. HZHNS4

-~ -v PANTE PLANT

-zm

TELEDYNE McCORMICK SELPH HNI4

UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORP HtNS4

[ . ENSIGN BICKFORD HNS-il

BRITISH (ROF-RIDGEWATER) HNSl

+" ++-'"+ - '• + + .. . •++-. + .•- , ^•..7 ,_.;_+ • + +.°;_ ,.+ "• "++r",'. '• " + "+'' ++ >•"• .. . .++ . r: . '• -+.+0+,+ -- + .-+..+ : +:• .18._• ,

*-4+-- + " '" .. . + . . .r _ _ : - _ . _ . _ -

NSWC TR 7918l

In .0

cc o0.0

C.)0

4

X zw-

'C 2 w ., x

~-3Z 4>

,.-~ 0 z

o- 0 C -0

400 zo Lcc aU E

w 0> 0>MO~N/i1- 00

I- "

>> o CJ

NSWC TR 79-181

TABLE 4 EXPLOSIVE TECHNOLOGY SMDC SUMMARY (MAJOR PROGRAMS ONLY)

1965 THROUGH JANUARY 1978

PROGRAM QUANTITY QUANTITY X-CORD CON$IG.MANUFACTURED RUNCT1OND CORE SHEATH__NUCTR_ __T__E 2.5 GR/FT MATIL

F.111 2U1D50 17,730 DIPAM SILVER

F14 123.940 l11.50 HtNS SILVER

F-15 15,70 9_0 DIPAM SILVER

F-16 230 40 MRS SILVERS3A 16.z 69 t HINS SILVEREAM 3.W00 400 HNS SILVER

MB.339 (ITALY) 90 10 HNS SILVER

Cf *Ot (SPAIN) 140 20 HNS SILVER

SPACE SHUTTLE 1.750 200 HNS SILVER

DELTA CASTOR 1,870 180 HNS SILVER

PROJECT 227 3.230 250 DIPAM SILVER

Lm, CUTTER 2.300 l.00 HNS SILVER

CENTAUR 400 00 mkS SILVER

CTSh1(CANADA) No 30 DOWAM SILVERSTANDARD AR 4m50 120 DIPAM SILVERSPRkINT 1.000 i00 RDX LEAD

!HARPOON 710 70 HmS S.lmER

20

NSWC TR 79-181

TABLE 5 PHYSICAL AND EXPLOSIVE PROPERTIES OF HEXANITROSTILBENE,HNS/TEFLON COMPARED TO RDX

HNS.I HNS-II HNS.IIITEFLON STD RDX*90110

MELTING POINT (0C0 313 318 318 204

THEORETICAL MAXIMUMDENSITY (G/CC) 1.74 1.74 1.78 1.82

VACUUM THERMAL STABILITY 2600260*C (CC/GIHR) 1.68 0.23 0.52 13.2 AT 180

WEIGHT LOSS (%) AT210 0 C AFTER 48 HRS - - - EXPLODES

PARTICLE SIZE RANGE(MICRONS) <10 100.200 100.200 500 OR LESS

IMPACT SENSITIVITY(k IN CMV 47 63 - 20

ELECTROSTATIC SPARK FIRES ABOVE FIRES ABOVE LESS SENSSENSITIVITY 0.001 MFD 0.0001 MFD THAN TETRYL

08 KV 0 17 KV OR PETN

DETONATION VELOCITY 6800 7000 6900 8350(MISEC 0 DENSITY(G/CC) 1.60 1.70 1.68 1.70

50% SHOCK SENSITIVITYDB0g* (KBAR) 7.14 (33.69) 5.35 (18.74) 6.76 (21.87) 3.77 (11.26)o DENSITY. G!CC 1.68 1.64 1.70 1.63

AVAILABILITY PRODUCT(ON PRODUCTION - PRODUCTION

SPECIFICATION WSs503 WS5003 NOLS 1015 MIL.R-398

ONOL.ERL DROP MACHINE, SANDPAPER, TYPE 12 TOOLS, 2.5 KG WT"ODB9 - 30-10 LOG (OBSERVED GAP IN MILS)*MIL.R.398 MILITARY SPECIFICATION RDX

21/22

* ~1

.5* 5--.- -5---.*~-5 ___________

NSWC TR 79-181

* DISTRIBUTION

Copies

CommanderNaval Sea Systes CommandNaval Sea Systems Command HeadquartersWashington, D. C. 20362

SEA-0332SEA-09G32 2SEA-06JE'

DirectorKStrategic Systes Projects OfficeDepartmnt of the Navy

Washington, D. C. 20376SSPO-2731 (H. Baron)

Com=anding OfficeNaval Ordnance StationIndian Head, Haryland 20640

ComanderNaval Weapons CenterChina Lake, California 93555

Technical LibraryDr. Adolf AmsterGordon Green

Naval AcadcyAnnapolis, Maryland 21402

Hd. Weps Dept

SuperintendentNaval Postgraduate SchoolMonterey, California 93940

Commanding OfficerNaval Weppons StationYorktovn, Virginia 23491

T-chnic&I LibraryW. McBride

23

NSWC TR 79-181

DISTRIBUTION (Continued)

Copiea

Naval Air Systems CominandDepartment of the NavyWashington, D. C. 20360

Air LibraryPete Facas AIR-05323

Com=anding OfficerNaval Weapons Support CenterCrane, Indiana 47522

Technical LibraryDr. B. Douda

Joint Cruise lisstle Project OfficeWashington, D. C.

"Ken Funk

"Office of Naval ResearchArlington, Virginia 22217

R. Hiller

Coxaasnding OfficerPicatinny ArsenalDover, New Jersey 07801

Technical LibraryD. SeegerW. VoreckR. Walker

ARRADCOIEdgewood ArsenalEdgewood, Mary land

Technical Library

Coozanding OfficerBallistics Research LaboratoryAberdeen Proving GroundAberdeen, Karyland 21005

Technical Library

NSWC TR 79-181

DISTRIBUTION (Continued)

Copies

Commnding GeneralArmy Materiel CommandDepartment of the ArmyWashington, D. C. 20316

Technical Library

CommanderArmy Rocket and Missile AgencyRedstone ArsenalHuntsville, Alabama 35809

Technical Library

Commanding OfficerFrank ford ArsenalPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania 19137

Technical Library

DirectorDefense Documentation CenterCameron StaticnAlexandria, Virginia 22314

T IPCR 12

Comma nderSystems Engineering GroupRTDWright-Patterson Air Force BaseOhio 45433

Chief of StaffU.S. Air ForceWashinton, D. C. 20350

AFORD-AR

NASA, Langley Research CenterLangley Sta, Hampton, Virginia 23665

L. Bement

1125* I

•*g

I bHSWC TR 79-181

DISTRI*BUTION (Conkinued)

cop ies

- : NASA, Lefts Research Center22100 Brvt*vpark RoadClcvvlaiid, Ohio 44135

Library SP~?40 Or~in, S.HPO

Lyndon B. Johnson Space CenzerNAtional Acronau.ics 6 Space Administration2101 Webster-Seabrook RoadHi.toon, Texams 77058

lechniccl Library"T. ITraves

Get'rgt' C. Marshall Spaco Flight CenterNattonal Aeronautics S Sprce Achinistration

Ihintsville, Alaba,=a 35812Technical LibraryR.•bert Whte MEP-I4)

* NASA, Godderd Space Flight CenterCtandale RoadGreen~belt,~~'r

* ~l echnieal Library

Chcmt rotocsOld Bee Tree RoadSvanoawo, North Carol na 28778

J. Shultheis

Ensign Bickford CoapanyS660 Hopmeadow Street

•- $Siz4buty, Connecticut 06070$. Boggs

Explosive TechnologyPb- pO. x KKVairfiej'1, Csliforni4 94533

F. Burkdol I

2f,

"|-SIo

NSWC TR 79-181

DISTRIBUTION (Continued)

Copies

Franklin InstituteResearch LaboratoriesPhiladelphia. Pennsylvania 19103

Ed Hlannum

General Dyn~icsP.O. Box 748Fort Worth, Texas 76101W. Early (XZ2843)K. Monroe

"Gontral Dyn=mics CorporationConva-iir DivisionP.O. Box 8084.7San Diego, California 92138

George liandry

Grt=an Aerospace CorporationSouth Oyster Bay RoadBethpac, New York 11714

J. Hopkins

Jet Propulsion LaboratoryCalifornia Institute of Technology4800 Oak Grove DrivePasadena, California 91103

Technical Library

Jet Research Center, Inc.P.O. Box 246Arlington, Texas 76010

Lockheed Missiles & Space CorporationP.O. Box 504Sunnyvale, California 94086W. Cant

27

i :

NSWC TR 79-181

DISTRIBUTION (Continued)

Copies

Los Alamos Scientific LaboratoryP.O. Box 1663Los Alamos, New Mcxico 87544

Dr. L, Smith

Mason and ILangarSilas Mason Co., Inc.Panttx PlantP.O. Box 647A-.arillo, Texas 79177Dr. Clyde Alley

McDonnell Douglas CorporationP.O. Box 516St. Louis, Missouri 63166

SH. Schi==•l

Ordnance Engineering AssociatesP.O. Box 10488Denver, Colorado 80210

Ahaed Kafadar

Sand1a CorporationP.O. Box 5400Albuquerque, New Mexico 87115

Dr. N. BrownDr. J. Hlolovka

Scientific and Technical Informmtion, INASAP.O. Box 33College Park, Mary1anO 20740

Space Ordnance Systcý*s, Inc.375 Santa TrinitaSunntyvale, California 94006Dr. N. Zable

Teledyne McCormick SeiphP.O. Box 6Hollister, California 95023

R. Ingham

28

S~I- •iii .. .

NSWC TR 79-181

DISTRIBUTION (Continued)

Copies

TRWBallistic Mhssiles DivisionSystems GroupP.O. Box 1310San Bernadino, California 92402

V. J. fenichelli

Unidynamics CorporationP.O. Box 2990Phoenix, Arizona 85002

J. Froncberger

University of CaliforniaLavrencc Livermore LaboratoryP.O. Box 808Livermore, California 94550

Milton FingerIt. Rizzo

29

SUPPLEM IENTARY

INFORMATI-ON

.*So I fp,ýWHITE OAK L.A11OR1ATORY#r DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY SILVER SPRLN4AýO. 20910# ~~~NAVAL SURFACE WEAPONS CENTER(2239-1/

DAHLOREN, VIRGINIA 22448 OAHLGMEN LASORATORYL• • DAHLGI.GiN VA. 22444

(?031 "Sl--

VA ON REPLY R[FERI "TO-

R12:EEK:amr

To al holders of NSWC TR 79-181 Change 2Title: OVERVIEWS OF HNS PRODUCTION/PROPERTIES/APPLICATIONS 31 March 1980

0

This publication is changed as follows:

~ TABLE 5, page 21/22, PHYSICAL AND EXPLOSIVE PROPERTIES OF HEXANITROSTILBENE, HNS/TEFLON COMPARED TO RDX.

The THEORETICAL MAXIMUM DENSITY (G/CC) for STD RDX. reads 1.82. This value shouldbe changed to read 1.806.*

The footnote should read:

*UCRL-51319 (Revision 1976), Brigitta Dobratz, Lawrence Livermore Laboratory.

Inseet this change sheet between the cover and the DD Form 1473 in your copy.Write on the cover"Chamn 2 Ins~er ", ZMT A , Ha

',EL ZIMET, ActingH' • Bydlr,- tion •