Effects of Desensitizers on Phase Transitions, Thermal Behavior, and Sensitivity of ε-CL-20

The phase transitions of epsilon-CL-20 coated with desensitizers [paraffin wax (PW), microcrystal wax (MW), graphite, molybdenum disulfide, tungsten disulfide, and graphite fluoride] were investigated using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The thermal behavior of epsilon-CL-20 and epsilon-CL-20 coated with desensitizers was analyzed, and the compatibility of epsilon-CL-20 with the desensitizers was assessed using vacuum stability tests. The characteristics of several desensitizers were measured, and their effects on the friction and impact sensitivity of coarse and fine epsilon-CL-20 crystals were analyzed. The results indicate that graphite decreased the critical temperature of phase transition. The phase transition of DSC results is consistent with the PXRD data. epsilon-CL-20 was compatible with all the desensitizers studied. Molybdenum disulfide markedly lowered the impact sensitivity; PW and MW lowered the friction sensitivity of epsilon-CL-20. The molybdenum disulfide/PW compound system reduced both the friction and impact sensitivity of epsilon-CL-20.