Past, Present & Future of Thermally Stable Explosives

Explosives with improved high temperature properties are usually referred to as ‘thermally stable explosives’ or heat-resistant explosives. They are safer, more reliable and more stable at elevated temperatures and find applications in modern Ordnance, Space and Nuclear applications. This paper discusses general approaches for the synthesis of thermally stable explosives, their properties and specific applications. This paper also gives a comparative account of the properties of some of the most thermally stable explosives reported so far. Based on their ease of synthesis, properties (mainly stability at elevated temperatures and insensitivity to impact, friction and percussion) and cost, TATB is considered as a benchmark, thermally stable explosive which is discussed in detail. Furthermore, this review also describes the synthesis and properties of BTDAONAB which does not melt below 550 °C and is considered a better thermally stable explosive than TATB. Finally, a new line of research in this field in the years to come is also highlighted.