Potential Energetic Plasticizers on the Basis of 2,2‐Dinitropropane‐1,3‐diol and 2,2‐Bis(azidomethyl)propane‐1,3‐diol

Different carboxylic acid derivatives of 2,2‐dinitropropane‐1,3‐diol (DNPD) and 2,2‐bis(azidomethyl)propane‐1,3‐diol (BAMP) were synthesized to investigate their suitability as energetic plasticizers. The syntheses were carried out using acyl chlorides of acetic, propionic, and butyric acid. The obtained products were characterized by elemental analysis, NMR, and IR spectroscopy. The energetic properties of the synthesized compounds were calculated on the basis of the computed heats of formation at the CBS‐4M level of theory using the EXPLO5 version 6.02 computer code. Investigations of physical stabilities were carried out using BAM drop hammer and friction tester. Low and high temperature behavior was determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The energetic and physical properties of the synthesized compounds were compared to the literature known energetic plasticizers N‐butyl nitratoethylnitramine (BuNENA) and diethylene glycol bis(azidoacetate) ester (DEGBAA). For analyzing the plasticizing abilities, mixtures of glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) and poly(3‐nitratomethyl‐3‐methyloxetan) (polyNIMMO) were prepared with both propionyl based compounds in different ratios and investigated regarding their glass transition temperatures and viscosity. Both compounds showed plasticizing effects in the range of BuNENA.     

2,2‐Dinitro‐1,3‐Bis‐Nitrooxy‐Propane (NPN): A New Energetic Plasticizer

A new energetic plasticizer, 2,2‐dinitro‐1,3‐bis‐nitrooxy‐propane (NPN), has been characterized. Its high oxygen balance, +12.5%, and low glass transition temperature, −81.5 °C (midpoint), makes it very attractive as an energetic plasticizer in solid propellants. The ability of NPN to lower the glass transition temperature and viscosity of uncured PolyNIMMO has been studied and compared to other energetic plasticizers, such as BDNPA/F and butyl‐NENA. NPN has a similar plasticizing effect as butyl‐NENA, both on depressing the glass transition temperature and lowering the viscosity. To increase the poor thermal stability of NPN, several conventional nitrocellulose/nitroglycerine stabilizers were evaluated. Further work is however needed to find a more effective stabilizer.     

Reactive Energetic Plasticizers for Energetic Polyurethane Binders Prepared via Simultaneous Huisgen Azide‐Alkyne Cycloaddition and Polyurethane Reaction

Reactive energetic plasticizers (REPs) for use in glycidyl azido polymer (GAP) based polyurethane (PU) energetic binders were investigated. These REPs consisted of an activated terminal alkyne group that was expected to give rise to Huisgen azide‐alkyne 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition within the specific pot life for a PU formulation to prevent the migration of plasticizers, and with a gem‐dinitro group as an energy resource. A quantitative miscibility investigation between the plasticizers and uncured GAP showed that REPs exhibited better miscibility than conventional energetic plasticizers. The plasticization effect of the REPs on the GAP prepolymer with respect to the reduction of the viscosity illustrated REPs can effectively reduce the viscosity of the GAP prepolymer from 6,015 cP to 150–240 cP at the processing temperature when 50 wt‐% of REP was added. A comparison of the click reactivity and activation energies (E_a) of REPs and GAP prepolymer elucidated that the reactivity of azide‐alkyne cycloaddition depended on the dipolarophilicity of REPs which could be controlled by adjusting the length of methylene spacer between electron‐withdrawing groups (EWG) and neighboring alkynes in REPs. Thermogravimetric analysis manifested REP/GAP‐based PU binders maintained the thermal stability of the control GAP‐based PU binder. The mechanical properties and impact insensitivity of the GAP‐based PU binders were also improved by the incorporation of REPs.     

Reexamination of an Energetic Nitrate Ester SHN

A well‐known energetic nitrate ester sorbitol hexanitrate (SHN) was synthesized and characterized. SHN was shown to exhibit the highest density at ambient temperature among all known nitrate esters synthesized from simple polyols. SHN was compared with conventional 1,4‐dinitrato‐2,3‐dinitro‐2,3‐bis(nitratomethylene)‐butane (SMX) as a component of plasticizers in compositions comprising polar synthetic polymers (polyurethane and butadiene/acrylonitrile copolymer). Solid–liquid diagrams for SHN and SMX in diethylene glycol dinitrate (DEGDN) are presented. The energy characteristics and densities of the two‐component plasticizers were shown to be higher than those of DEGDN alone.     

Characterization of the Plasticized GAP/PEG and GAP/PCL Block Copolyurethane Binder Matrices and its Propellants

Though glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) is a well‐known and promising energetic polymer, propellants based on it suffer from poor mechanical and low‐temperature properties. To overcome these problems, plasticized GAP‐based copolymeric binders were prepared and investigated through the incorporation of flexible‐structural polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polycaprolactone (PCL) into a binder recipe under a Desmodur N‐100 polyisocyanate (N‐100)/isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) (2 : 1, wt. ratio) mixed curative system. The nitrate esters (NEs) or GAP oligomer were used as energetic plasticizers at various ratios to the polymers. The GAP/PCL binders held the plasticizers much more than the GAP/PEG binders did. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of segmented copolymeric binders were more dependent on the plasticizer level than the PEG or PCL content. The increase in the plasticizer content decreased the mechanical strength and modulus of binders, while the change of strain was modest. Finally, the NE plasticized GAP‐based solid propellants showed enhanced mechanical and thermal properties by the incorporation of PEG or PCL. The properties of GAP/PCL propellants were superior to those of GAP/PEG propellants.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Properties of Nitropolybutadiene as Energetic Plasticizer for NHTPB Binder

The nitration of low molecular weight polybutadiene (PB) by a convenient and inexpensive procedure was investigated. To retain the unique physico‐chemical properties of the plasticizer, it was nitrated to an extent of 10 % double bonds. The product nitropolybutadiene (NPB) was characterized by FT‐IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopy as well as GPC, DSC, and TGA methods. The kinetic parameters for the decomposition of NPB from room temperature to 400 °C were obtained from non‐isothermal DSC. The changes in glass transition temperature (T _g) and inert uncured binder systems were used for determination of its efficiency as plasticizer. NPB was used in cured and unfilled nitro‐hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (NHTPB) binder. Isothermal thermogravimetric analysis (Iso‐TGA) was employed to determine the migration rate in cured and unfilled HTPB binder systems compared to the dioctyladiphate (DOA) plasticizer. It was found that the exudation of the NPB plasticizer is slower than that of the DOA plasticizer. Thus, the NHTPB/NPB binder system (binder/plasticizer) presents more convenient mechanical properties than HTPB/DOA and is a promising new energetic binder system for polymer bonded explosives.     

偕二硝基类含能增塑剂的合成及应用

从偕二硝基含能增塑剂的结构和合成特点出发,综述了偕二硝基缩醛类、酯类及醚类等含能增塑剂的合成、性能及应用研究现状.重点介绍缩醛类含能增塑剂BDNPF和BDNPA的制备技术,论述了其物理化学性能、能量特性和热性能,以及在炸药、推进剂配方中的应用,指出此类化合物的合成及应用,将是含能增塑剂研究的重点.附参考文献21篇.     

Smokeless GAP‐RDX Composite Rocket Propellants Containing Diaminodinitroethylene (FOX‐7)

Composite rocket propellants prepared from nitramine fillers (RDX or HMX), glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) binder and energetic plasticizers are potential substitutes for smokeless double‐base propellants in some rocket motors. In this work, we report GAP‐RDX propellants, wherein the nitramine filler has been partly or wholly replaced by 1,1‐diamino‐2,2‐dinitroethylene (FOX‐7). These smokeless propellants, containing 60% energetic solids and 15% N‐butyl‐2‐nitratoethylnitramine (BuNENA) energetic plasticizer, exhibited markedly reduced shock sensitivity with increasing content of FOX‐7. Conversely, addition of FOX‐7 reduced the thermochemical performance of the propellants, and samples without nitramine underwent unsteady combustion at lower pressures (no burn rate catalyst was added). The mechanical characteristics were quite modest for all propellant samples, and binder‐filler interactions improved slightly with increasing content of FOX‐7. Overall, FOX‐7 remains an attractive, but less than ideal, substitute for nitramines in smokeless GAP propellants.     

硝酸酯类含能黏合剂绿色合成研究进展

对3种具有发展潜力的硝酸酯类含能黏合剂聚(3-甲基硝酸酯-3-甲基环氧丁烷)(Poly-NIMMO)、聚缩水甘油硝酸酯(PolyGLYN)和硝化端羟基聚丁二烯(NHTPB)的绿色合成工艺和性质进行了简要评述,分析了这些黏合剂的发展前景。并采用以五氧化二氮为硝化剂的绿色合成路线制备得到NHTPB黏合剂,考察了不同官能团对其热稳定性和玻璃化转变温度的影响规律。     

Synthesis of a novel polyester plasticizer based on glyceryl monooleate and its application in poly(vinyl chloride)

The use of bio‐based polymeric plasticizers could expand the application range of plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) materials. In this study, a novel bio‐based polyester plasticizer, poly(glutaric acid‐glyceryl monooleate) (PGAGMO), was synthesized from glutaric acid and glyceryl monooleate via a direct esterification and polycondensation route. The polyester plasticizer was characterized by gel permeation chromatography, ¹H‐nuclear magnetic resonance, and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. The plasticizing effect of PGAGMO on PVC was investigated. The melting behavior, thermal properties, and mechanical properties of PVC blends were studied. The results showed that the PGAGMO could improve the thermal stability and reduce the glass transition temperature of PVC blends; when phthalates were substituted by PGAGMO in PVC blends, the thermal degradation temperature of PVC blends increased from 251.1°C to 262.7°C, the glass transaction temperature decreased from 49.1°C to 40.2°C, the plasticized PVC blends demonstrated good compatibility, and the decrement of the torque and the melt viscosity of PVC blends were conducive to processing. All results demonstrated that the PGAGMO could partially substitute for phthalates as a potential plasticizer of PVC. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:514–519, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

BuNENA含能增塑剂的性能及应用

BuNENA(N–丁基硝氧乙基硝胺)是一种性能优良的新型含能增塑剂,在枪炮发射药和火箭推进剂应用中均受到研究者的广泛关注,并被进行系统研究。在发射药中,BuNENA具有塑化能力强、工艺性能好、感度低、能量高等优点,能进一步提高配方力学性能,其应用前景广阔。而在HTPE(端羟基聚环氧乙烷–四氢呋喃嵌段共聚醚)火箭推进剂中,BuNENA已被证明是一种对提高能量、降低感度和提高推进剂力学性能等具有明显作用的新型含能增塑剂,使用HTPE/BuNENA黏合剂体系的钝感固体推进剂的综合性能优于HTPB/AP(端羟基聚丁二烯/高氯酸铵)推进剂,并可满足钝感弹药(IM)要求,已在各种战术发动机中获得了实际应用。     

Succinate-based plasticizers: Effect of plasticizer structure on the mechanical and thermal performance of poly(vinyl chloride) plastic formulations

A new family of succinate-based plasticizers, consisting of molecules with a linear alkyl chain capped with n-alkyl succinates on both ends, was evaluated as potential bio-based plasticizers for stiff polymers. The influence of the central and side alkyl chain lengths on the mechanical and thermal properties as well as the migration behavior of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/plasticizer blends was evaluated. The central chain length had the greatest influence on plasticizer performance, with shorter chains leading to blends with higher stress at break and surface hardness, whereas long chains produced softer blends. An optimum chain central length of five carbon atoms was observed, with longer chains leading to reduced compatibility and exudation of the plasticizer at higher plasticizer concentrations. The entire family of plasticizers performed comparably or better than the commercial plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) when incorporated into the blend at concentrations of 20–60 parts per hundred resin (phr). Overall, the succinate-based plasticizers/PVC blends all exhibited equal or improved tensile properties (by up to 77%), surface hardness (reduced by up to 43%), glass transition temperature (reduced by up to 11°C), and migration into organic media (reduced by up to 38%) when compared with blends with DEHP at 40 phr.     

Neutral Polymeric Bonding Agents (NPBA) and Their Use in Smokeless Composite Rocket Propellants Based on HMX‐GAP‐BuNENA

Very few efficient bonding agents for use in solid rocket propellants with nitramine filler materials and energetic binder systems are currently available. In this work, we report the synthesis, detailed characterization, and use of neutral polymeric bonding agents (NPBA) in isocyanate‐cured and smokeless composite rocket propellants based on the nitramine octogen (HMX), the energetic binder glycidyl azide polymer (GAP), and the energetic plasticizer N‐butyl‐2‐nitratoethylnitramine (BuNENA). These polymeric bonding agents clearly influenced the viscosity of the uncured propellant mixtures and provided significantly enhanced mechanical properties to the cured propellants, even at low NPBA concentrations (down to 0.001 wt‐% of propellant). A modified NPBA more or less free of hydroxyl functionalities for interactions with isocyanate curing agent provided the same level of mechanical improvement as regular NPBA containing a substantial number of reactive hydroxyl groups. However, some degree of reactivity towards isocyanate is essential for function.     

A study on the aliphatic energetic plasticizers containing nitrate ester and nitramine

The aliphatic energetic plasticizers with three and four –CH₂ between nitrate ester and nitramine were synthesized to obtain a plasticizer that is more stable than N-butyl-N-nitratoethyl nitramine (BuNENA) with two –CH₂. First, amino alcohol compounds such as propylamino propanol (PAP) and ethylamino butanol (EAB) as a precursor of energetic plasticizer were synthesized. However, unlike in BuNENA synthesis, various side reactions occurred in the nitration of amino alcohols. Fortunately, it was possible to considerably suppress the formation of side products in the nitration of PAP by using a solvent and an appropriate concentration of nitric acid. In addition, an energetic plasticizer with higher oxygen content was obtained through the nitration of intermediate, amide alcohol, which was formed in the synthesis of EAB.     

Effect of two different plasticizers on the properties of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) binary and ternary blends

Plasticized poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) films were obtained by solvent casting. The effects of two different additives on several properties of PHB have been examined, utilizing tributyrin and poly[di(ethyleneglycol) adipate] (A). Based on changes in the glass transition temperature (T_g) and cold crystallization temperature of host PHB, the two components are miscible with PHB and they can act as plasticizers. Binary and ternary blends were obtained by adding both plasticizers separately or together, respectively. The effect of plasticizer addition on the optical transparency, water vapor permeability, and tensile properties of the films was studied. It was found that the blends remain transparent and water vapor permeability was maintained constant until a 20 wt % of plasticizer content. Plasticizing effect was corroborated and it depended on the plasticizer percentage. Binary blends had an increased plasticity, in concordance with T_g diminution of PHB. Although ternary blends presented T_g diminution, mechanical properties were not improved probaby due to strong interactions between plasticizers. Finally, binary and ternary blends presented enhanced properties, causing an increment on processability. A correct knowledge between the formulation of the film and the role played by each component could allow getting custom films. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018 , 135, 46016.     

Evaluating effects of biobased 2,5‐furandicarboxylate esters as plasticizers on the thermal and mechanical properties of poly (vinyl chloride)

We synthesized 2,5‐furandicarboxylate esters [i.e., dibutylfuran‐2,5‐dicarboxylate, diisoamylfuran‐2,5‐dicarboxylate, and di(2‐ethylhexyl)furan‐2,5‐dicarboxylate] and investigated their potential application as plasticizers of commercial poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) products. Fourier transform infrared analysis, mechanical tests, scanning electron microscopy investigation, differential scanning calorimetry analysis, dynamic mechanical thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), melt flow rate (MFR) measurement, and plasticizer migration measurements were used to the evaluate the comprehensive properties of the blended products. The results of the tensile tests demonstrate that the blends exhibited antiplasticization and flexible plastic characteristics at 10 and 50 phr in PVC, respectively. Moreover, flexural and impact test data indicate that the three types of blends exhibited a similar tendency: the hardness decreased continuously as the amount of plasticizer increased. Their morphology indicated that all of the plasticizers had good compatibility with PVC. The resulting glass‐transition temperature of the investigated plasticizers was lower than that of pure PVC, and reduction was largest for the plasticizer with the highest molecular weight. TGA revealed that the thermal degradation of blended polymers occurred in three stages and that all of the blends were stable up to 180°C. Finally, the MFRs of all of the specimens indicated that the addition of a higher concentration of lower molecular weight biobased esters resulted in improved fluidity, but these compounds migrated more easily from the blends. Hence, 2,5‐furandicarboxylic acid derived from biomass has potential as a plasticizer. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40938.     

Poly(ε-caprolactone)-based additives: Plasticization efficacy and migration resistance

A family of poly(caprolactone) (PCL)-based oligomeric additives was evaluated as plasticizers for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC). We found that the entire family of additives, which consist of a PCL core, diester linker, and alkyl chain cap, were effective plasticizers that improve migration resistance. The elongation at break and tensile strength of the blends made with the PCL-based additives were comparable to blends prepared with diisononyl phthalate (DINP), a plasticizer typically used industrially, and diheptyl succinate (DHPS), an alternative biodegradable plasticizer. Increasing concentration was found to decrease glass transition temperature (T_g) and increase elongation at break, confirming their role as functional plasticizers. We found that all of the PCL-based plasticizers exhibited significantly reduced leaching into hexanes compared to DINP and DHPS. The PCL-based plasticizers with shorter carbon chain lengths reduced leaching more than those with longer carbon chain lengths.     

Energetic polymer subjected to high energy radiation

PolyNIMMO is regarded as an energetic polymer. It consists of a nitrated ester group and an ether linkage. When polyNIMMO is subjected gamma radiation up to doses of 250 kGy there is no evidence of degradation, however, at higher levels of gamma radiation up to 750 kGy structural changes in the polyNIMMO backbone were observed [Polymer 44 (2003) 7617-7624]. These observations were based on polyNIMMO which was gamma irradiated in the bulk phase [Polymer 44 (2003) 7617-7624; Polymer 42 (2001) 7711-7718]. The results presented in investigation are from polyNIMMO which has been irradiated in solution. PolyNIMMO dissolved in halogenated and aromatic solvents was found to undergo structural changes when subjected to doses of gamma radiation up to 250 kGy. An increase in molecular weight and glass transition temperature was observed with the formation of water and an aldehyde. End chain linking together with hydrogen abstraction of the pendant methyl group were the two suggested reaction schemes.     

Volatility of NENA and Other Energetic Plasticizers determined by thermogravimetric analysis

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) at constant temperature was used to measure weight loss of plasticized nitrocellulose (NC) propellants due to vaporization of plasticizer. Plasticizers consisted of three 2-nitroxyethylnitramine (NENA) compounds, diethylene glycol dinitrate (DEGDN), and nitroglycerin (NG). Initial concentration of plasticizer and degree of nitration of NC were also varied. Each propellant was tested at three temperatures. Plasticizer diffusivities (D) and their activation energies were calculated. Observed trends were generally consistent with calculated plasticizer solubility parameters, expected increases in molecular mobility for more highly plasticized materials, and the more polar and more disordered structure of NC with a lower degree of nitration. Some unexpected effects could be explained by changes in entropy of activation due to variation in plasticizer or NC structure. In general, the NENA plasticizers had lower vaporization rates than DEGDN or NG, suggesting that plasticizer losses during manufacturing or storage of practical formulations should not be a problem.     

含能增塑剂的研究现状及发展

从含能增塑剂的能量基团种类出发,综述含能增塑剂的合成和应用研究现状,认为含能增塑剂在含能材料配方中起着重要作用,不仅能改进力学性能,而且可以提高安全特性。硝酸酯含能增塑剂是一种极易受摩擦和撞击引爆的敏感炸药,且大多数危险等级为1．1,而新兴的叠氮类、偕二硝基类及硝胺类含能化合物或齐聚物性能优异,是含能增塑剂的主要研究对象。同时分析了国内含能增塑剂研究在合成技术、数量品种及应用等方面存在的差距,建议国内应加强多种类型新含能增塑剂的合成及应用研究。