Chemical reaction for producing a polymer which can be mixed with explosives to produce a rigid material is discussed. Physical and chemical properties of polymers are described and chemical structure of the polymer is illustrated

Bissell, E. R.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

June 1972	 B72-10366 
AEC-NASA TECH BRIEF 
ris 
AEC-NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the research and development program of the U.S. 
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Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Polymeric Binder for Explosives 
Extrusion casting of explosive charges requires a 
low viscosity binder capable of polymerizing to a rigid 
material. The low viscosity permits good mixing of the 
binder with the explosive and allows extrusion of the 
mixture into a mold. 
The requirements of the finished explosive charge 
impose several restrictions on the polymerization reac-
tants and reaction. The reactants must be compatible 
with the explosive to be fabricated. The reaction should 
produce a polymer of adequate mechanical strength 
(high molecular weight and crosslinking) and proceed at 
a reasonable rate at moderate temperatures (rules out 
exothermic polymer reactions). The reaction should not 
cause excessive shrinkage. 
Several polymeric binders that fulfill the require-
ments result from the reaction of bis (flu orodi nitro-
ethyl)formal (FEFO), a glycol, a cyclic anhydride, and a 
polyepoxide. The FEFO is the plasticizer and source of
energetic groups. The cyclic anhydride and glycol react 
to form a carboxyl-terminated polyester which is the 
polymer portion of the binder. The polymer reacts with 
the polyepoxide to produce chain extension and the 
cyclic anhydride reacts to produce crosslinking. The 
reaction sequence is shown in two steps. 
The physical properties of the polymers produced 
by reaction (1) and (2) vary depending on the particular 
anhydride, glycol, and epoxide used. A composition of 
FEFO/3,4 epoxy cyclohexyl ester of 3,4 epoxy cyclo-
hexyl methanol/maleic anhydride/diethylene glycol (70/ 
10/7.2/3.6 parts by weight, respectively) with 0.5% by 
weight ferric acetylacetonate as the polymerization 
catalyst was found to have the best physical properties 
for an extrusion casting binder. A 10-gram sample of 
this composition was cured in an air bath at 60° C for 
48 hours. The cured binder had a density of 1.487 
grams per cubic centimeter. 
()  
0=C	 C0+H0—RI —OH--' 
Cyclic Anhydride	 Glycol 
r-----------
It o	 0	 0	 I	 0 
I i \\	 II	 II 
RII
I	 HO	 I	 OH 
Carboxyl — Terminated Polyester
(continued overleaf) 
—ww
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(2) R"— C//0 OH 0— 
Polyester	 Diepoxide
r1 
- Q/ Q: C C 0 
Cyclic Anlydride 
O	 0 
1.	 II	 II R — C — -O.. 	 H	 0 
o— — —o— L - OH IQ H <3 0: C 
R 0 
o=c	 H	 0 / 0— I QCO_C_ 0— OH R' — C--O"	 H 0
Crosslinked Polymer 
Note 
to
Patent status: 
Inquiries about obtaining rights for the commer-
cial use of this invention may be made to: 
Mr. George H. Lee, Chief 
Chicago Patent Group 
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission 
Chicago Operations Office 
9800 South Cass Avenue 
Argonne, Illinois 60439 
Source: Eugene R. Bissell

Lawrence Radiation Laboratory

under contract to
Atomic Energy Commission

(AEC-10062) 
Requests for further information may be directed 
Mr. Glenn K. Ellis 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Office of Information Services 
U.S. Atomic Energy Commission 
Washington, D.C. 20545 
Reference: TSP72- 10366
Category 04


Polymeric binder for explosives

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