Energetic Polymers: Binders and Plasticizers for Enhancing Performance

This up–to–date overview provides the latest information on the performance, sensitivity, strength and processability aspects of propellants and explosive formulations, with the nature of polymer binder/plasticizer as the variable factor. Apart from applications, this monograph explores the principles behind energetic polymers, while discussing the synthetic routes and energetic characteristics of individual family of energetic polymers. Furthermore, a number of case studies illustrate the role of energetic polyerms on enhancing the performance of formulations as compared to their inert counterparts. The emphasis is on safety throughout, with practical guidance on how to safely handle and formulate energetic polymer based formulations. With the advent of a new generation of energetic polymers, this book is relevant to industry and defense organizations as well as for academic research.

POLYMERS AS BINDERS AND PLASTICIZERS – HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE Nitrocellulose Polyslfides Polybutadienes (PBAA, PBAN, and CTPB) Polyurethanes Hydroxy Terminated Polybutadiene Explosive Binders Thermoplastic Elastomers Energetic Polymers (Other Than NC) as Binders Energetic Polymer Plasticizers HIGH NITROGEN CONTENT POLYMERS Introduction Preparation of Energetic Azido Polymers Physical Properties of Azido Polymers Curing of Azido Polymers Curing of Azido Polymers by Dipolarophiles Thermal Decomposition Characteristics of Azido Polymers Combustion of Azido Polymers Thermal Decomposition and Combustion of Energetic Formulations with Azido Polymers Performance of Azido Polymer–Based Propellants Azido Polymers as Explosive Binders Tetrazole Polymers and Their Salts N–N Bonded Epoxy Binders NITRO POLYMERS AS ENERGETIC BINDERS Introduction Preparation of Nitropolymers Thermal Decomposition Behavior of Nitropolymers Combustion of Nitrate Ester Polymers and Propellants Nitropolymer–Based Explosive Compositions ENERGETIC THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS Introduction Preparation of Energetic Thermoplastic Elastomers Thermal Decomposition and Combustion of ETPEs Performance of ETPE Based Propellant Formulations Melt–Cast Explosives Based on ETPEs ETPE Based Polymer Nanocomposites FLUOROPOLYMERS AS BINDERS Introduction Poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) Copolymers of Tetrafluoroethylene Energetic Polymers Containing Fluorine Miscellaneous Energetic Fluoropolymers PBX Formulations with Fluoropolymers ENERGETIC PLASTICIZERS FOR HIGHER PERFORMANCE Introduction Energetic Plasticizers Based on Azido Compounds Performance of Propellant Formulations Containing Azido Plasticizers Nitrate Ester Plasticizers Nitrate Ester Oligomers as Energetic Plasticizers Miscellaneous Plasticizers Based on Nitro–Groups APPLICATION OF COMPUTATIONAL TECHNIQUES TO ENERGETIC POLYMERS AND ITS FORMULATIONS Introduction Overview of Computational Techniques Application of Computational Modeling Techniques to Energetic Polymer Formulations Future Outlook

How Ghee Ang is the founding director of the Energetics Research Institute (EnRI) at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. In his capacity as advisor to both Defence Science and Technology Association (DSTA) and DSO National Laboratories, Professor Ang plays a key role in strategizing and building up capabilities on chemical defence and energetic materials in Singapore. His research interests lie in several areas of chemistry (fluorine, phosphorus, organometallic and cluster chemistry) and energetic materials. Hi is Fellow of many professional bodies and serves on the editorial advisory board of several journals including the Journal of Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, the Central European Journal of Energetic Materials and the Chinese Journal of Energetic Materials. Sreekumar Pisharath is a senior research fellow at the Energetics Research Institute (EnRI) at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. He was awarded his PhD in materials science and engineering from NTU, Singarpore, in 2005. Since then he has been associated with Energetics Research Institute (EnRI). His research interests are in the areas of synthesis and characterization of energetic polymers, thermal analysis of energetic material composites, deformation and fracture behavior and microscopy of composite materials.