Preparation of HMX/TATB spherical composite explosive by droplet microfluidic technology

Polymer bonded explosives (PBXs) have high energy density, excellent mechanical properties and better thermal stability. In this study, droplet microfluidic technology was used to successfully prepare HMX/TATB microspheres. The effects of different binder types and binder concentrations on the morphology of the microspheres were studied, and results proved that NC/GAP (1:4) provides particles a regular spherical morphology and good dispersion. Subsequently, the influence of the concentration of the dispersed phase and the flow rate of the continuous phase on the particle size distribution of the microspheres was fully studied. The microspheres had narrow particle size distribution and high spherical shape. Under optimized process conditions, HMX/TATB microspheres were prepared and compared with the physical mixtures. The X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, flow properties, bulk density, and mechanical sensitivity of the samples were also studied. Results showed that the crystal form of the microspheres remains unchanged, and the binder maintains good compatibility with explosives. In addition, the fluidity, bulk density, real density and safety performance of the microspheres are remarkably better than the physical mixture. This study provides a new method for preparing PBX with narrow particle size distribution, high spherical shape, excellent dispersion and high bulk density.