Research on TNTON/DNTF eutectic characteristics: an exploration of low eutectic mixture based melt-cast explosive carriers†

Abstract

To modify the sensitivity and melting point of the casting of DNTF, a eutectic system of insensitive explosive 3,5,5-trinitro-1,3-oxazinane (TNTON) and DNTF was prepared through a new method. The melting and liquefaction processes of TNTON/DNTF at different ratios were investigated, and a T–x phase diagram was established. The melting and decomposition processes of TNTON, DNTF, and TNTON/DNTF eutectic at different heating rates were compared, while the sensitivity tests were conducted to study the desensitizing effect of TNTON on DNTF. Using EXPLO-5 software, the detonation performance of the TNTON/DNTF eutectic was calculated. The experimental results show that the stoichiometric composition of the TNTON/DNTF eutectic is 58.26 : 41.74, with an average melting point of 69 °C. With the increase of heating rate, both the melting and decomposition reactions are delayed. According to the activation energy (E_a) curve, the thermal decomposition is through an autocatalytic process. The impact and friction sensitivity of the TNTON/DNTF eutectic are 38 J and 252 N, respectively. Theoretical density of the TNTON/DNTF eutectic is 1.906 g cm⁻³, and the calculated detonation velocity is 8921 m s⁻¹. The TNTON/DNTF eutectic exhibits good thermal stability and can significantly reduce the sensitivity of DNTF while maintaining its high energy level. The detonation performance of TNTON/DNTF low eutectic cast explosive is better than that of TNT based cast explosive.