A Chemical Characterization and Performance Study of Photodecomposed Hexanitrostilbene (HNS) and Hexanitrobibenzyl (HNBiB)

Abstract : The photolysis of 2,2'4,4'6,6'-hexanitrostilbene (HNS) and 2,2'4,4'6, 6'-hexanitrobibenzyl (HNBiB) has been investigated. This laboratory study was carried out at wavelengths (lambda) greater than 280 nanometers (nm) using sunlight and a 7740 pyrex filtered, 400 watt, Hanovia medium pressure, mercury (Hg) arc source. The methods and conditions under which HNS and HNBiB are decomposed photolytically are presented as well as the isolation and identification of several of the more stable photoproducts. The characterization methods include: (1) thin-layer chromatography (TLC), (2) color macrophotography, (3) scanning electron microscopy (SEM), (4) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, (5) high-performance, liquid chromatrography (HPLC), and (6) vacuum thermal stability (VTS). Velocity and output measurements were also obtained on the irradiated HNS material which was loaded into small diameter, explosive train hardware (e.g., shielded mild detonating cord (SMDC) and flexible linear shaped charge (FLSC)). The SMDC explosive component consists of a silver-sheathed cord with an HNS core load of 2-1/2 grains/foot. The FLSC component is also silver sheathed and contains an HNS core load of 20 grains/ foot.