Current Strands of Research in DERA on the Chemistry of Energetic Materials and Insensitive Munitions

Over the past several years there has been a considerable effort within DERA towards the development of new and improved energetic materials and their corresponding formulations. This paper will give an overview of such activities whilst addressing a number of key technology areas, namely: Energetic binders synthesis and development, including plasticisation and polymerisation studies; Characterisation studies of new ingredients and formulations, including compatibility, stability and thermal analysis; Clean technologies towards the synthesis of existing energetic materials using a variety of environmentally friendly solvents such as supercritical fluids as well as the use of solid supported reagents; Synthesis of nitrogen heterocyclic compounds and nitrogen cage molecules; Development of new explosive and propellant formulations and investigation of processing aspects. Current chemistry research within DERA is part of a highly integrated programme funded by the UK MoD, which is aimed towards the provision of advanced energetic materials. As part of this programme activities carried out include the synthesis of new molecules, development of new materials, characterisation and scale-up as well as formulations and processing studies. This chemistry work is also backed up by molecular modelling activities.