"Scientists have developed a novel explosive material that could be a suitable replacement for Trinitrotoluene, more commonly known as TNT. The new molecule, called bis-oxadiazole, has high energy, low explosive sensitivity and good environmental properties.
Below is some information from David Chavez, of Los Alamos’ High Explosives Science and Technology group.
Scientists at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory in Aberdeen, Maryland have developed a novel “melt-cast” explosive material that could be a suitable replacement for Trinitrotoluene, more commonly known as TNT.
“The Army and the Laboratory, through the Joint Munitions Program, have been looking for a TNT replacement,” said David Chavez, an explosives chemist at Los Alamos. “Something with non- or low-toxicity that has the right melting point so it can be liquified and cast, for use in a variety of munitions.”
“One major challenge was coming up with a formula that would significantly surpass the explosive energy of TNT, but still have melt-casting capability” said Chavez. “When designing a molecule to be melt-castable, yet high performing, you typically encounter many challenges due to numerous obstacles.”
One of the biggest challenges was getting a high enough yield of the material out of the synthesis process. An early procedure produced only a 4 percent yield, far too low to be practical and affordable. After several iterations of the process the scientists boosted the yield to 44 percent.
Working with Jesse Sabatini and colleagues at Aberdeen, they developed a 24-atom molecule that’s packed with nitrogen, and has increased performance 1.5 times greater than TNT. The full chemical name is bis(1,2,4-oxadiazole)bis(methylene)dinitrate.
Research will continue with production of the material on a kilogram scale, a battery of explosive testing as well as future toxicity studies.
The Environmental Protection Agency has listed TNT as a possible carcinogen, and exposure to the material has been linked to disorders of the blood, such as anemia, and abnormal liver function, according to the Centers for Disease Control. TNT was first prepared in 1863 by German chemist Julius Wilbrand but its full potential as an explosive wasn’t discovered until 1891. TNT has been in use as a munitions explosive since 1902.
The research was published in the American Chemical Society’s journal, Organic Process Research & Development.
[Note: I had asked a question about how this new explosive compared to C4.]
As for the C4 comparison:
The new melt castable material exceeds the performance of C4 by about 100 meters/s and has a higher detonation pressure. The new material is also slightly less sensitive to impact and friction.
However, a better comparison for this material is TNT, since C4 is not a melt castable explosive. While C4 can be molded into different shapes, it cannot be cast into hollow containers, and can only me molded into shapes with pressure, whereas the new material can be melted, poured into the hollow containers and allowed to resolidify prior to use. TNT has this same physical characteristic, but is much lower performing with respect to velocity and pressure."
Nick Njegomir, Media Relations, Social Media, Los Alamos National Laboratory shared the information above.
