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DOE OSTI · 1091322

Aging Studies on Nitro-Plasticizer

Edwards, Stephanie L.
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Abstract

Plasticizers are utilized with many polymers to increase fluidity. By adding a plasticizer to a polymer, the polymer changes from rigid and brittle to soft and flexible. NP is a nitro-plasticizer that is currently used with a wide variety of polymers. NP is a 50-50 mixture of bis(2,2–dinitropropyl) acetal (BDNPA) and bis(2,2 – dinitropropyl)formal (BDNPF) (Figure 1). Sometimes this combination is referred to as A/F but throughout the extent of this paper it will be referred to as NP. BDNPA and BDNPF have been researched separately to determine the decomposition rate of both compounds and what products are generated (3). BDNPF decomposes at a slower rate than BDNPA. It has been hypothesized that this is because BDNPF has a lower vapor pressure and is less sterically hindered (3). It is important to determine how the decomposition of NP will differ as it is a combination of both BDNPF and BDNPA. This particular combination of plasticizers is commonly used with polymers in explosive and propellant composite systems as an energetic plasticizer (3). Because of its applications; it is vital to study to effects of aging on NP to determine its stability over time. This research focuses on 3 and 6 month aged NP and the structural variations that occur due to the aging process. Previous studies suggest that NP is stable during low temperature storage (4), but this research focuses on the stability of NP at various different conditions to achieve the most comprehensive scope of the effect of the aging process. This is an ongoing process and this research will continue to be monitored for at least one year. Depending on the results obtained; the research may carry on for two years.

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Edwards, Stephanie L.. 2013-08-26. Aging Studies on Nitro-Plasticizer. https://doi.org/10.2172/1091322

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