Abstract: Methods of forming a nitrate ester include combining at least one nitrate salt and sulfuric acid to form a nitrating solution and adding an aliphatic polyol to the nitrating solution. Nitrate esters formed by this method may be, for example, triethylene glycol dinitrate (TEGDN), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), diglycerol tetranitrate (DGTN), 1,1,1-tris(methylol)ethane trinitrate (TMETN), 1,2,4-butanetriol trinitrate (BTTN), nitroglycerin (NG), diethylene glycol dinitrate (DEGDN), ethylene glycol dinitrate (EGDN), metriol trinitrate (MTN), nitrocellulose (NC), or 1,2-propanediol dinitrate (PDDN).

Abstract: A method of synthesizing and isolating N-(bromoacetyl)-3,3-dinitroazetidine (ABDNAZ) by reacting DNAZ with bromoacetyl bromide and boron trifluoride etherate to produce a mixture comprising ABDNAZ and a salt of DNAZ. Water and a solvent are added to the mixture to form an organic phase comprising the ABDNAZ and an aqueous phase comprising the salt of DNAZ. The organic phase and the aqueous phase are separated to produce an ABDNAZ/solvent solution comprising the ABDNAZ and the aqueous phase comprising the salt of DNAZ. A nonsolvent is added to the ABDNAZ/solvent solution to produce an ABDNAZ/solvent/nonsolvent mixture. The ABDNAZ is subsequently recovered. A composition comprising ABDNAZ is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of forming a nitrate ester include combining at least one nitrate salt and sulfuric acid to form a nitrating solution and adding an aliphatic polyol to the nitrating solution. Nitrate esters formed by this method may be, for example, triethylene glycol dinitrate (TEGDN), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), diglycerol tetranitrate (DGTN), 1,1,1-tris(methylol)ethane trinitrate (TMETN), 1,2,4-butanetriol trinitrate (BTTN), nitroglycerin (NG), diethylene glycol dinitrate (DEGDN), ethylene glycol dinitrate (EGDN), metriol trinitrate (MTN), nitrocellulose (NC), or 1,2-propanediol dinitrate (PDDN).

Abstract: A warhead consisting of a relatively thin metal shell casing and interior open linear cells which run throughout its length manufactured by electrical discharge machining and slip fitting.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing and isolating N-(bromoacetyl)-3,3-dinitroazetidine (ABDNAZ) by reacting DNAZ with bromoacetyl bromide and boron trifluoride etherate to produce a mixture comprising ABDNAZ and a salt of DNAZ. Water and a solvent are added to the mixture to form an organic phase comprising the ABDNAZ and an aqueous phase comprising the salt of DNAZ. The organic phase and the aqueous phase are separated to produce an ABDNAZ/solvent solution comprising the ABDNAZ and the aqueous phase comprising the salt of DNAZ. A nonsolvent is added to the ABDNAZ/solvent solution to produce an ABDNAZ/solvent/nonsolvent mixture. The ABDNAZ is subsequently recovered. A composition comprising ABDNAZ is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of producing 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene are disclosed. One method comprises dissolving a 1,3,5-trialkoxy-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene compound in an organic solvent to form a 1,3,5-trialkoxy-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene compound solution. The 1,3,5-trialkoxy-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene compound solution is heated to a temperature of from approximately 30° C. to approximately 110° C. The 1,3,5-trialkoxy-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene compound is reacted with an aminating agent at a pressure of from approximately 30 pounds per square inch to approximately 120 pounds per square inch to produce a 1,3,5-triamino-2,4,6-trinitrobenzene solution.

Abstract: 5,7-Diamino-4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan is synthesized in high yield by aminan of 7-amino-4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan with hydroxylamine in the presence of strong base such as potassium hydroxide. Acidification of the potassium salt produces a fine powder. Recrystallization of the powder by an extraction process under vacuum in solvents such as dimethylformamide results in large, cube-like crystals which can be pressed to high density explosive formulations. These explosive formulations show high performance as explosives.

Abstract: 5,7-Diamino-4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan is synthesized in high yield by aminan of 7-amino-4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan with hydroxylamine in the presence of strong base such as potassium hydroxide. Acidification of the potassium salt produces a fine powder. Recrystallization of the powder by an extraction process under vacuum in solvents such as dimethylformamide results in large, cube-like crystals which can be pressed to high density explosive formulations. These explosive formulations show high performance as explosives.