RECRYSTALLIZATION AND SOLUBILITY OF 1,3,5-TRIAMINO-2,4,6-TRINITROBENZENE IN DIMETHYL-SULFOXIDE

The insensitive explosive 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) has been recrystallized from dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) with particle si zes ranging up to 2 mm diameter. Crystal growth was controlled by vary ing the heating and cooling rates and the solution agitation speed. Th e role of additives and ''green'' u.v. radiation-induced impurity in a ffecting crystal morphology, size, and colour was also studied. To pro vide the thermal concentration data needed for the crystallization stu dy, the solubility curve of TATB in DMSO was determined gravimetricall y. The solubility data spans the range of 0.47 +/- 0.23 g l(-1) at 21. 2 degrees C to 6.80 +/- 1.13 g l(-1) at 145.5 degrees C.