High Energy Materials: Propellants, Explosives and Pyrotechnics

Authored by an insider with over 40 years of high energy materials (HEMs) experience in academia, industry and defence organizations, this handbook and ready reference covers all important HEMs from the 1950s to the present with their respective properties and intended purposes.
Written at an attainable level for professionals, engineers and technicians alike, the book provides a comprehensive view of the current status and suggests further directions for research and development. An introductory chapter on the chemical and thermodynamic basics allows the reader to become acquainted with the fundamental features of explosives, before moving on to the important safety aspects in processing, handling, transportation and storage of high energy materials.
With its collation of results and formulation strategies hitherto scattered in the literature, this should be on the shelf of every HEM researcher and developer.


I. SOME SALIENT FEATURES OF EXPLOSIVES
Definition
Classification
Fundamental Features: Compatibility and Stability, Oxygen Balance, Sensitivity and Sensitiveness, Heat of Formation, Heat of Explosion and Gases Evolved, Velocity of Detonation, Detonation Pressure, Explosive Power, Brisance
Applications: Commercial, Military, Space, Nuclear, Miscellaneous

II. PROCESSING, ASSESSMENT AND STATUS OF EXPLOSIVES
Processing Techniques for Explosives: Melt Casting, Normal Casting, Vibration/Sedimentation, Pressure Casting, Extrusion, Pressing
Assessment of Explosives: Determination of Compatibility and Stability, Sensitivity to Heat, Impact, Friction, Spark and Shock, Detonation, Pressure and Explosive Power
Status of Current and Futuristic Explosives: Thermally Stable Explosives, High Performance Explosives, Melt-Castable Explosives, Energetic Materials Synthesized by Using Nitrogen Pentoxide, Energetic Binders and Plasticizers, Formulations Based on TATB, NTO and CL-20, Insensitive Munitions, Fuel-Air Explosives, Future Scope

III. PROPELLANTS
Gun Propellants
Rocket Propellants
Performance of Propellants
Ingredients of Propellants: Oxidizers, Binders, Metal Fuels, Plasticizers, Burn Rate Modifiers, Bonding Agents, Stabilizers
Inhibition of Rocket Propellants
Insulation of Rocket Motors
Recent Research

IV. PYROTECHNICS
General Features of Pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnic Formulations, Their Chemistry and Applications
Illuminating Formulations
Delay Formulations
Smoke Formulations
Incendiary Formulations
Infrared Technology and Its Significance to Military
Nanomaterials for Pyrotechnics

V. EXPLOSIVES AND CHEMICAL SAFETY: HANDLING, TRANSPORTATION AND STORAGE
Safety
Hazard Classification
Fire Safety
Safety Aspects for Handling, Transportation and Storage of Explosives
Static Electricity Hazards
Extremely Insensitive Detonating Substances and Ammunition
Hazard and Risk Analysis
Prevention and Elimination of Explosions, Accidents and Fires


Jai Prakash Agrawal is the former Director of Materials of the Indian Defence Research and Development Organization. He obtained his PhD in Chemistry from the Gorakhpur University, India, and did postdoctoral work at the University of Saint-Etienne, France, and at the Cavendish Laboratory of the University of Cambridge, UK. In recognition of his achievements Dr. Agrawal was appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, London. The focus of his scientific and professional career is on research and development in the field of propellants, explosives and inhibitory materials. Together with Robert Hodgson he has authored the book "Organic Chemistry of Explosives", John Wiley & Sons.