The chemical compatibility of explosives, pyrotechnics and propellants with those materials is studied to evaluate potential hazards when in contact with other materials during production, storage and handling. Compatibility can be studied by several thermal methods as DSC (differential scanning calorimetry), TG (Thermogravimetry), VST (Vacuum stability test) and others. The test methods and well defined criteria are the most important elements when a compatibility study is being accomplished. In this paper, the compatibility of two very important high explosives used in ammunition, RDX (Cyclo-1,3,5-trimethylene-2,4,6-trinitramine) and HMX (Cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine) was studied with the materials: fluoroelastomer (Viton) and powdered aluminum (Al), using DSC and VST methods. The criteria to judge the compatibility between materials is based on a standardization agreement (STANAG 4147, 2001), and the final conclusion is that explosives and this materials are compatible, but in DSC it was observed that the peak of decomposition temperature of the admixture of RDX with Al decreased in 3? C and another peak appeared after the decomposition peak.

Preliminary studies on field emission (FE) arrays comprised of carbon nanotubes (CNT) as an electron source for electric propulsion system show remarkably promising results. Design parameters for a carbon nanotube (CNT) field-emission device operating on triode configuration were numerically simulated and optimized in order to enhance the e-beam focusing quality. An additional focus gate (FG) was integrated to the device to control the profile of the emitted e-beam. An axisymmetric finite element model was developed to calculate the electric field distribution on the vacuum region and a modified Fowler-Nordheim (FN) equation was used to evaluate the current density emission and the effective emitter area. Afterward, a FE simulation was employed in order to calculate the trajectory of the emitted electrons and define the electron-optical properties of the e-beam. The integration of the FG was fully investigated via computational intelligence techniques. The best performance device according to our simulations presents a collimated e-beam profile that suits well for field emission displays, magnetic field detection and electron microscopy. The automated computational design tool presented in this study strongly benefits the robust design of integrated electron-optical systems for vacuum field emission applications, including electrodynamic tethering and electric propulsion systems.

2,2', 4,4', 6,6'- hexanitrostilbene (HNS) is an energetic material, a nitroaromatic compound, with thermal and chemical stabilities, which is employed in the aerospace industry. In this work, the Arrhenius parameters (activation energy and pre-exponential factor) of thermal decomposition reaction were studied and the results were compared with the values reported in the literature. The Kissinger method, applied to DSC's non-isothermal data of the decomposition temperature was chosen for this study. The activation energy determined for the thermal decomposition of HNS revealed values from 428 kJ.mol-1 to 477 kJ.mol-1, under the experimental conditions employed.

Materials obtained during the synthesis of octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) transmission spectroscopy and/or Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy (FTIR-PAS). By these techniques the spectrometric alterations that occurred during the process were observed. The characterized species during the synthesis of HMX were alpha-HMX, beta-HMX, hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and HMX/RDX mixtures. The FTIR-PAS was verified to be a promising technique of great usefulness of the characterization of highly energetic materials because it is fast, simple and requires no sample preparation unlike Fourier transform infrared transmission technique (KBr pellet). The FTIR-PAS analysis showed that with small sample quantity is possible to distinguish between thealpha-HMX and beta-HMX and to detect even in a qualitative way different HMX / RDX ratios

Predicting explosion parameters is an important step when planning for blast tests or the design of blast resistant buildings. This paper presents a comparison of recorded pressure that was reflected on the surface of reinforced concrete slabs with and without EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) foam retrofit measured from a detonation of 2.7 kg of non-confined plastic explosive. Two 50 MPa reinforced concrete slabs measuring 1.0x1.0x0.08 m, simply supported on two sides were tested. The explosive was suspended at a distance of 2.0 m from the upper surface of the slabs; one of the slabs had 5.0 cm thick foam on the top side. Eight piezoelectric pressure sensors were positioned at a distance of 2.0 m from the explosive. Results showed that the foam retrofit reduced the reflected pressure by approximately 57% when compared to the slab without EPS foam retrofit.