Effect of solvent on the morphology and properties of RDX prepared by the spray drying method

The spherical micron RDX particles were prepared by the spray drying method. The effects of four low-boiling solvents, including methyl acetate, acetonitrile, acetone, butanone, on morphology and properties of RDX samples were studied. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was employed to characterize the samples. The impact sensitivity and thermal decomposition properties of the samples were also measured and analyzed. Results show that the as-prepared RDX particles are all spherical in shape and range from 1 μm to 5 μm in size. The RDX particles from butanone disperse evenly and have a relatively smoother surface and fewer defects. Compared with that of raw RDX, the impact sensitivity of as-prepared RDX samples are all decreased obviously due to the facts that the drop height is about 2 times of raw RDX. For the spherical RDX prepared by the spray drying method, the apparent activation energy of thermal decomposition(E) and the thermal explosion critical temperature(Tb) decreases. The RDX particles from methyl acetate decreases 33.35 kJ·mol-1 and 7.77℃. ©, 2015, Institute of Chemical Materials, China Academy of Engineering Physics. All right reserved.