GrIMEx (Green IM Explosive): Development of Novel IM Comp B Replacements Based on Green TNT and RDX Replacements

WP-2208

Objective

Composition B (Comp B) is an explosive formulation consisting of 2, 4, 6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX), and wax and has been used for many years in bomb fills, grenades and antipersonnel mines. Although Comp B has performed well over the years, the environmental impact of the formulation warrants concern. With the recent development of IMX-101 and IMX-104, invented by BAE Systems Ordnance Systems, Inc. (OSI) scientists, insensitive munition (IM) replacements for TNT and Comp B were created. However, although IMX-104 is considered and accepted to be a Comp B replacement, some performance data of IMX-104 indicates that it is lower than that of Comp B. There is a need for IM melt-pour formulations with performance equivalent to or above Comp B while retaining the IM properties of the IMX family of explosive formulations and also containing nontoxic and environmentally-benign ingredients produced through synthetic methods of low environmental impact.

The objective of this project is to 1) develop environmentally acceptable synthesis methods to scale-up environmentally sustainable, insensitive secondary explosives as alternatives to RDX, TNT, and ammonium perchlorate (AP); and 2) develop novel formulations utilizing the alternative materials to replace Comp B. This project will combine the capabilities of the US Army Public Health Command and BAE Systems, OSI.

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Technical Approach

First, the TNT and RDX replacements will be synthesized using methods of low environmental impact and then subjected to initial toxicity screenings, each screening being appropriate for the scale at which the new ingredients are generated. Secondly, the down-selected TNT replacements, upon further scale-up, will be formulated with RDX alternatives, such as HMX and FEM-HMX (being more mature ingredients) followed by scaled-up, down-selected RDX replacements. The novel formulations will then be evaluated for performance. Ultimately, several factors will be considered in determining if the ingredients and formulations can find use and transition into weapons systems. These factors include environmental impact of the production, toxicity, and fate and transport of the ingredients; performance of ingredients and formulations; and estimated costs to produce the ingredients and formulations.

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Benefits

The primary benefit of this effort to the Department of Defense (DoD) and possibly other users of energetic materials will be the creation of a novel, affordable, IM-compliant, environmentally-friendly and user-friendly replacement for Comp B. The final, selected materials of interest can be scaled to production quantities within reasonable amounts of time and cost. Secondary benefits of this effort will be the development of novel ingredients to replace TNT, RDX and the development of novel and environmentally acceptable synthesis routes for existing TNT and RDX replacements. (Anticipated Project Completion - 2016)

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Points of Contact

Principal Investigator

Dr. David Price

BAE Systems

Phone: 423-578-6350

Fax: 423-578-6098

Program Manager

Weapons Systems and Platforms

SERDP and ESTCP

Document Types

  • Fact Sheet - Brief project summary with links to related documents and points of contact.
  • Final Report - Comprehensive report for every completed SERDP and ESTCP project that contains all technical results.
  • Cost & Performance Report - Overview of ESTCP demonstration activities, results, and conclusions, standardized to facilitate implementation decisions.
  • Technical Report - Additional interim reports, laboratory reports, demonstration reports, and technology survey reports.
  • Guidance - Instructional information on technical topics such as protocols and user’s guides.
  • Workshop Report - Summary of workshop discussion and findings.
  • Multimedia - On demand videos, animations, and webcasts highlighting featured initiatives or technologies.
  • Model/Software - Computer programs and applications available for download.
  • Database - Digitally organized collection of data available to search and access.