Investigation on the thermal decomposition performance and long-term storage performance of HNIW-based PBXs through accelerated aging tests

2,4,6,8,10,12-Hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW)-based polymer-bonded explosives (PBXs) were prepared through an aqueous suspension method using cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) or fluorine rubber F2311 as a binder. Then the variation rules of mass, surface micro-topography, mechanical properties, thermal decomposition performance, detonation velocity and mechanical sensitivity of the samples before and after accelerated aging tests for different durations were measured. Then the variables of the samples that before and after accelerated aging tests for different durations, will be measured, these variables including the variation rules of mass, surface micro-topography, mechanical properties, thermal decomposition performance, detonation velocity, and mechanical sensitivity. The PBX columns showed an acceptable mass loss of less than 1%, after accelerated aging tests. The surface of the PBX samples became more and more uneven as the aging duration prolonged, which was in a good agreement with the order of mass loss. Moreover, the tensile strength, the thermal stability, the detonation velocity and the mechanical sensitivity of the samples were not significantly affected by the aging process, suggesting that the PBXs remained valid after an accelerated aging test at 60°C for 60 days. A further estimation using the modified Arrhenius equation revealed that the storage life at ambient temperature (20°C) of the HNIW-based PBXs was over 10 years, which satisfies the application demands for explosives.