The effect of micro-nano TKX-50 particle gradation on the properties of TNT based castable explosives

Dihydroxylammonium 5,5′-bistetrazole-1,1′-diolate (TKX-50) is an energetic ionic salt that has many advantages over conventional explosives, including high detonation speed, high energy, and low toxicity. Although the properties of TKX-50 have been explored in many aspects, TKX-50/2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) based melt cast explosives are not yet reported. Herein, this work investigated the application of TKX-50 in melt cast explosives by using TNT as the dispersant and TKX-50 as the high-energy component. The effect of micro-and nano-sized TKX-50 particles on the properties of the castable explosives was investigated. The TKX-50-based castable explosives were characterized through scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry, velocity of detonation measurement, and vacuum stability testing. Moreover, ProCAST, a finite element casting simulation software, was used to study the temperature field changes and predict the locations of defects generated during the solidification process of melt cast explosives, and the simulated results are consistent with the experimental results. Hence, this work provided a new prospect of micro-and nano-sized TKX-50 particles in castable explosives.