Characterization of layers of Tetryl, TNB, and HMX on metal surfaces using fiber optics coupled grazing angle-FTIR

Fiber optics coupled-grazing angle probe Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and infrared microspectroscopy have been used for characterization of the distribution and form of layers of some explosives deposited on stainless steel sheets. Among the explosives tested were trinitrobenzene, HMX and Tetryl. Various solvents were used to deposit the films on stainless steel slides. Isopropyl alcohol was the preferred solvent because it produced more homogeneous mass distributions of target explosives on the substrates. The film thickness, analyte distribution and the relation of thickness to infrared absorption/reflection response of these explosives were compared with those previously reported for TNT, 2,4-DNT and RDX. This comparison was used for described the general optical behavior of the explosives studied.