Verification of the Explosive Quality of TH-5

Abstract

This paper reports the characteristics of the explosive TH-5, recycled (recovered) trinitrotoluene (TNT) with max. 5wt-% of hexogen (RDX). The explosive TH-5 was obtained by delaboration of warheads and melting of explosive charges based on TNT and RDX and by separation (extraction) of high explosive components. The thermal characteristics of pure (virgin) TNT and RDX, and recycled explosive TH-5 are determined by differential scanning calorimetry. The possibility of processing TH-5 by pressing and casting is also examined. The comparative analysis of sensitivity of TH-5 and TNT to friction is determined, as well as compressibility of explosives, and the detonation velocity of pressed and cast charges. Based on the analysis of experimental results, the defense standard requirements for the quality of TH-5 are defined and possibility of practical application of explosive TH-5 was estimated.