Is the impact sensitivity of RDX polymorph dependent?

Imogen L Christopher, Colin Pulham, Adam A.l. Michalchuk, Carole A. Morrison*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Impact-sensitivity predictions based on the vibrational up-pumping model show a strong polymorph dependency for RDX and highlight that one of the high-pressure forms, which has been postulated to form during shock-wave experiments, is appreciably more susceptible to mechanical initiation. The origin of the predicted impact sensitivity variation can be attributed to vibrational mode hardening by pressure and to differences in the molecular conformation of RDX in the four polymorphs studied. These polymorphs present different distributions of molecular vibrations within their respective up-pumping windows, which leads to their varying ability to up-pump and trap the vibrational energy that arises from mechanical insult.
Original languageEnglish
Article number124115
JournalJournal of Chemical Physics
Volume158
Early online date10 Mar 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Mar 2023

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