Tuning the Oxygen Balance of Energetic Composites: Crystallization of ADN/Secondary Explosives Mixtures by Spray Flash Evaporation

New energetic composites with enhanced reactive performances while allowing the safe handling according to their sensitivity thresholds are presented. This paper combines different approaches: the intimate contact between the compounds, the particle size reduction and the processing of composite materials to maintain the oxygen balance close to zero. The Spray Flash Evaporation process enables the fast crystallization at the submicron scale by combining an oxidizer, ammonium dinitramide ADN and two secondary explosives (RDX and HMX). The morphologies of the particles were analyzed and compared with slow evaporation tests. An intimate mixing between the two components (crystallized by SFE) is highlighted and core-shell structure is evidenced by advanced techniques such as 2D and 3D confocal Raman microscopy. The composites offer outstanding energetic performances compared to sole explosives. It paves the way to new energetic compositions based on current materials.

Automated summary

This study introduces new energetic composites with enhanced reactive performances and safe handling according to sensitivity thresholds. The Spray Flash Evaporation process enables fast crystallization of oxidizer and secondary explosives, forming particles with core-shell structure and outstanding energetic performances compared to sole explosives. It paves the way for new energetic compositions based on current materials.