Triaminoguanidine dinitramide, TAGDN: Synthesis and characterization

Two dinitramide salts with very high heat of formation have been identified, i.e. triaminoguanidine dinitramide (TAGDN) and guanylazide dinitramide (GADN). Thermochemical calculations showed that TAGDN-propellants have a higher impetus than the corresponding GADN-propellants at a given flame temperature. Due to the fact that a low flame temperature has to be prefered in a gun, TAGDN seems better suited as a component in gun propellants compared to GADN. TAGDN was thus synthesized, analyzed and characterized to determine some of its properties. The melting point and enthalpy of melting was found to be 85degreesC and 93 J/g respectively. At a heating rate of 10 K/minute, TAGDN starts to decompose at approximately 160degreesC. The density was found to be 1.57 g/cm(3). Preliminary sensitivity testing of crystalline TAGDN indicated that it was very sensitive to friction. Therefore, TAGDN was prilled by a melt emulsion technique to form spherical particles. However this procedure did not decrease the sensitivity. Due to its high sensitivity, TAGDN should be handled with care and it is questionable if it can be used in solid propellants. The solubility of TAGDN in water was measured to evaluate it as an energetic component in liquid monopropellants. As the solubility is low, TAGDN is less attractive than ADN in liquid monopropellants.