EVALUATION OF GIM AS A GREENER INSENSITIVE MELT-CAST EXPLOSIVE

For years, DRDC Valcartier has invested efforts at developing energetic thermoplastic elastomers (ETPEs) based on linear glycidyl azide polymers to serve as energetic binders and replacing the thermoset matrix in insensitive explosives. It was first observed that introducing ETPEs in their melted form was not an easy task because high and nonpractical viscosities were encountered in the process. It was discovered that 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) could be used in its melted form as an organic solvent to dissolve the ETPE and allow its incorporation into the insensitive formulations. Using these ETPEs led to the development of a greener insensitive melt-cast explosive named green insensitive munitions (GIM). This new explosive was intensely studied. The mechanical properties and proportions of ETPE in the formulations were optimized to obtain a melt cast with low viscosity while leading to an insensitive explosive formulation. Work was conducted on GIM explosives to test their performance and sensitivity, fate and behavior with regard to the environment, their recycling capability, and toxicity. This paper describes the results of all experiments conducted so far to test these aspects of GIM explosives. The preparation of the ETPEs and the GIM explosives will also be briefly described.