THERMAL-CHARACTERISTICS OF ENERGETIC POLYMERS BASED ON TETRAHYDROFURAN AND OXETANE DERIVATIVES

Thermal characteristics and decomposition behaviors of energetic polym ers based on oxetane derivatives, 3,3'-bis(azidomethyl)oxetane (BAMO), 3-azidomethyl-3'-methyloxetane (AMMO), 3-nitratomethyl-3'-methyloxeta ne (NMMO), and 3,3'-bis(ethoxymethyl)oxetane (BEMO), were studied by m eans of differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). These polymers were found to exhibit low glass transit ion decomposition enthalpies which were brought about by the attached azide (-N-3) and nitrate (-ONO2) groups. The decomposition enthalpies depended on the types and contents of the energetic substituents. The NMMO-based polymers exhibited relatively higher decomposition enthalpi es and less thermal stability than the others. Furthermore, the therma l stability of the polymers was further improved by partial curing tre atment. These results reveal that these polymers are potentially usefu l for application in energetic propellant binders. (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.