U.S. Navy Characterization of Two New Energetic Materials: CP and BNCP

This paper presents the current U. S. Navy program to characterize energetic materials for unlimited use in varied applications and offers two examples of new materials that have undergone or are undergoing test and analysis required to complete this program. CP (Pentaammine (5-cyano-2H- tetrazolato-N2) cobalt (111) perchlorate) and BNCP (Tetraammine-cis-bis (5-nitro-2H-tetrazolato-N 2 ) cobalt (111) perchlorate) are two chemically related explosive materials developed and used in various Department of Energy (DOE) applications. In recent years, the use of CP and BNCP has been expanded to include detonators for some U. S. Navy missile and aircrew escape applications. Certification of CP has been granted based primarily on DOE-supplied performance and safety test data and analysis. A program to complete the characterization testing and analysis of BNCP between IHDIV, NSWC and Pacific Scientific (the primary manufacturer) is scheduled for completion in early 2002. The characterization program and the testing and analysis curlcluc~ccl ij, bdli tlx CP aid BNCP cncrgctic materials are detailed in this paper.