Abstract: A gum base comprising at least one crosslinked branched aliphatic biodegradable polyester comprising repeat units formed from at least one polyol having three to four hydroxy groups, or ester thereof, at least one dibasic acid, or ester thereof, and at least one long chain monocarboxylic acid, or ester thereof. The process of producing a crosslinked branched aliphatic biodegradable polyester gum base by reactive extrusion is also included.

Abstract: Recycle of spent acid in nitrolysis of hexamine to RDX is accomplished un conditions, which avoid or minimize the need to process the spent acid through conventional costly recovery operations and result in little, if any, reduction of RDX yield. The conditions include(a) effecting the simmering in spent acid containing between 0% and 2% water;(b) recycling at least part of the spent acid of 0-2% water content to dissolve the hexamine reactant; and(c) preferably also recycling a part of the spent acid, after elimination of any water contained therein with acetic anhydride, to the heel to which the reactants are added in the nitrolysis of hexamine to RDX.