High speed imaging of TATB- and HMX-based energetic material decompositionin molten salts

Immersion of energetic materials into high-temperature molten-salt baths, w here the energetic materials decompose, is being considered as a method for their safe destruction. In the present research, behaviors of the high exp losives LX-17 (92.5 wt% 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB), 7.5 wt % KeI-F 800 plastic binder) and LX-04 (85 wt% octahydro-,3,5,7-tetranitro-1 ,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), 15 wt% Viton A plastic hbinder) were studied when these materials were immersed into molten salt baths. Pressed cylindrical samples initially 6.35 mm in diameter and length were immersed in molten sa lt baths, and data were taken photographically. Sample decomposition behavi ors were observed for varied salt temperatures in a molten LiCl-NaCl-KCl eu tectic and then separately in a molten Li2CO3-Na2CO3K2CO3 eutectic. Bath te mperatures ranged from 650 to 750 degrees C. General combustion behaviors s uch as bubble formation characteristics, gas evolution, and sample lifetime s were observed. Results indicated that sample lifetimes decreased as bath temperatures increased, and that the carbonate eutectic increased initial d ecomposition rates and decreased sample lifetimes relative to the chloride eutectic.