Characterization of TNAZ

The explosive TNAZ has recently become available in pilot-plant quantities. We have found its small-scale safety properties similar to those of other nitramines. Detonation calorimetry showed TNAZ to have 96% the energy of HMX and 150% of TNT. The shock sensitivity of neat TNAZ is greater than LX-14. A retonation wave was observed when the material was shocked at 2.0 GPa. The initiation behavior of neat TNAZ cannot be classified as either homogeneous or heterogeneous. Six plastic bonded TNAZ-based explosives have been developed for the Army.