Microstructural changes of energetic particular systems caused by mechanical stress

Energetic particular systems as particles and crystals are energetic components for the development of energetic applications. The application of these materials usually requires adjustment of their material properties, as for example particle size, morphology or chemical composition, and its processing along the production chain. In particular, comminution processes are often applied to adjust particle size distribution and dispersion technologies are required for homogenization of disperse materials in energetic formulations. Processing of particular systems in particle technology and manufacturing of propellants and explosives are associated with mechanical stress for the disperse phase. Dispersion techniques apply mechanical stress to separate and homogenously distribute single particles from agglomerates. In comminution processes mechanical stress is introduced to particular materials causing their fracture and decrease of particle size. However, mechanical stressing of particular systems can cause microstructural changes which may further influence their properties and behavior. In this work the effect of mechanical stress on microstructural changes of particular energetic systems was investigated. Mechanical stress was introduced by different milling and dispersion techniques for the processing of non-energetic materials as for example ammonium sulfate as well as energetic components as 1,1-diamino-2,2-dinitroethylene (FOX-7) and nitroguanidine
(NiGu). The processed particles were characterized by particle size distribution analysis and X-ray powder diffraction. Internal crystal qualities (crystal and micro structure) were correlated to processing parameters and particle sizes.