Detonation Properties of High Explosives Containing Ammonia Borane

Abstract Ammonia borane (AB) is used as a combustion agent to improve the properties of high explosives. The detonation velocity ( D v ) and detonation pressure ( P ) of raw high explosives and of samples containing AB were calculated and compared. The detonation properties, impact sensitivities, thermal sensitivities, and thermal decomposition characteristics of high explosives containing AB were also measured. The results indicated that when the AB content was 20 wt‐%, the optimal detonation velocity and detonation pressure were achieved. Both the detonation velocity and detonation pressure of the high explosives containing AB were clearly increased compared with those of the raw high explosives. Moreover, the detonation velocities of high explosives containing AB were 7078 to 7423 m · s –1 and their density ranged from 1.570 to 1.589 g · cm –3 . The detonation pressure ranged from 34.5 to 37 GPa and the average heat of detonation was 6688 J · g –1 . Furthermore, the impact and thermal sensitivities were 170 cm and 613 K, respectively, whereas a slight change occurred in the thermal decomposition characteristics. These results suggest that AB can serve as a powerful combustible agent in energetic materials and improve the detonation properties and sensitivities of high explosives.