Abstract: An insensitive melt cast explosive composition obtained by dissolving an energetic copolyurethane thermoplastic elastomer (“ETPE”) in melted trinitrotoluene (“TNT”) is disclosed. The resulting ETPE-TNT solution is easy to mix with other ingredients such as nitramines, plasticizers, aluminum and can be processed with the existing melt cast facilities. The energetic solution can be poured into shells and upon cooling to produce a recyclable plastic bonded explosive. Instead of melted TNT, the same process works equally well with melted Octol or melted Composition B to dissolve the ETPE.

Abstract: Polymerization of &agr;-bromomethyl-&agr;-methyl-&bgr;-propiolactone (BMMPL) or &agr;-chloromethyl-&agr;-methyl-&bgr;-propiolactone (CMMPL) yielded thermoplastic homopolymers that upon azidation led to a novel energetic thermoplastic polyester: poly(&agr;-azidomethyl-&agr;-methyl-&bgr;-propiolactone) (PAMMPL). An energetic copolyether-ester thermoplastic elastomer was prepared by using glycidyl azide polymer, a dihydroxyl terminated energetic polymer, as a macroinitiator for the polymerization of BMMPL or CMMPL. The azidation of the resulting copolyether-ester yielded an energetic thermoplastic elastomer that melted at between 80° C. and 85° C. Polymerization of &agr;-dibromomethyl-&bgr;-propiolactone (DBMPL) resulted in a polymer which upon azidation yielded a new energetic polymer that can be used as a binder or into an energetic thermoplastic elastomer synthesis.

Abstract: An energetic and recyclable propellant composition, which is capable of withstanding cold temperature, includes an energetic copolyurethane thermoplastic elastomer. The propellant composition can be used as a gun or rocket propellant, an explosive or in air bag gas generators.

Abstract: An energetic copolyurethane thermoplastic elastomer (ETPE) is prepared by polymerizing a dihydroxyl terminated telechelic energetic polymer having a functionality of two or less with a diisocyanate at a NCO/OH ratio of about 0.7 to 1.2. The resulting copolymer is easy to incorporate in gun propellant or explosive formulations and is recyclable. These energetic copolyurethane thermoplastic elastomers were obtained mainly by macropolymerization of GAP prepolymers with 4,4′-methylenebis-phenyl isocyanate (MDI). In these syntheses, GAPs having molecular weights of 500, 1000 and 2000 were used as macromonomers and polymerized with MDI to yield three different copolyurethane thermoplastic elastomers. This process may be applied to any dihydroxyl terminated energetic prepolymers. The hard segments of the ETPE are obtained by the formation of hydrogen bonds between the urethane groups.

Abstract: Polymerization of &agr;-bromomethyl-&agr;-methyl-&bgr;-propiolactone (BMMPL) or &agr;-chloromethyl-&agr;-methyl-&bgr;-propiolactone (CMMPL) yielded thermoplastic homopolymers that upon azidation led to a novel energetic thermoplastic polyester: poly(&agr;-azidomethyl-&agr;-methyl-&bgr;-propiolactone) (PAMMPL). An energetic copolyether-ester thermoplastic elastomer was prepared by using glycidyl azide polymer, a dihydroxyl terminated energetic polymer, as a macroinitiator for the polymerization of BMMPL or CMMPL. The azidation of the resulting copolyether-ester yielded an energetic thermoplastic elastomer that melted at between 80° C. and 85° C. Polymerization of &agr;-dibromomethyl-&bgr;-propiolactone (DBMPL) resulted in a polymer which upon azidation yielded a new energetic polymer that can be used as a binder or into an energetic thermoplastic elastomer synthesis.

Abstract: Polymerization of &agr;-bromomethyl-&agr;-methyl-&bgr;-propiolactone (BMMPL) or &agr;-chloromethyl-&agr;-methyl-&bgr;-propiolactone (CMMPL) yielded thermoplastic homopolymers that upon azidation led to a novel energetic thermoplastic polyester: poly(&agr;-azidomethyl-&agr;-methyl-&bgr;-propiolactone) (PAMMPL). An energetic copolyether-ester thermoplastic elastomer was prepared by using glycidyl azide polymer, a dihydroxyl terminated energetic polymer, as a macroinitiator for the polymerization of BMMPL or CMMPL. The azidation of the resulting copolyether-ester yielded an energetic thermoplastic elastomer that melted at between 80° C. and 85° C. Polymerization of &agr;-dibromomethyl-&bgr;-propiolactone (DBMPL) resulted in a polymer which upon azidation yielded a new energetic polymer that can be used as a binder or into an energetic thermoplastic elastomer synthesis.

Abstract: An insensitive melt cast explosive composition obtained by dissolving an energetic copolyurethane thermoplastic elastomer (“ETPE”) in melted trinitrotoluene (“TNT”) is disclosed. The resulting ETPE-TNT solution is easy to mix with other ingredients such as nitramines, plasticizers, aluminum and can be processed with the existing melt cast facilities. The energetic solution can be poured into shells and upon cooling to produce a recyclable plastic bonded explosive. Instead of melted TNT, the same process works equally well with melted Octol or melted Composition B to dissolve the ETPE.

Abstract: Glycidyl azide polymers, which are used as binders in composite explosive and propellant compositions, include hydroxyl groups which react with the isocyanate curing agent normally used in such compositions. Since the functionality of available linear glycidyl azide polymers is less than two, triols and/or triisocyanates are needed to crosslink the chains to form a matrix. A glycidyl azide polymer with increased functionality (higher than two) and reactivity obviates the need for triols and triisocyanates in the compositions. Moreover, a glycidyl azide polymer with primary hydroxyl groups would give faster curing reactions at lower temperatures without gassing problems, eliminating the need for a catalyst. Examples of glycidyl azide polymer having increased functionality have one of the formulae: ##STR1## wherein R is ##STR2## wherein m and n are different from zero, and m+n is 4 to 60.

Abstract: Glycidyl azide polymers, which are used as binders in composite explosive and propellant compositions, include hydroxyl groups which react with the isocyanate curing agent normally used in such compositions. Since the functionality of available linear glycidyl azide polymers is less than two, triols and/or triisocyanates are needed to crosslink the chains to form a matrix. A glycidyl azide polymer with increased functionality (higher than two) and reactivity obviates the need for triols and triisocyanates in the compositions. Moreover, a glycidyl azide polymer with primary hydroxyl groups would give faster curing reactions at lower temperatures without gassing problems, eliminating the need for a catalyst. Examples of glycidyl azide polymer having increased functionality have one of the formulae: ##STR1## wherein R is ##STR2## wherein m and n are different from zero, and m+n is 4 to 60.

Abstract: Glycidyl azide polymer is a hydroxy-terminated aliphatic polyether containing alkyl azide groups. Such a polymer could be used as a plasticizer in composite explosives, gun and rocket propellants. However, the hydroxyl groups of the polymer react with the isocyanate of the curing agent, thereby eliminating any possible plasticizing effect. This problem is overcome by producing a diazido-terminated glycidyl azide polymer without terminal hydroxyl groups. This useful polymer is produced by reacting polyepichlorohydrin with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride in pyridine, and reacting the resulting tosylated polyepichlorohydrin with sodium azide in dimethylformamide.