Flow behaviour of molten 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) between concentric cylinders

The flow behaviour of pure and commercial molten TNT when subjected to very high rates of shear in a rotational viscometer over the temperature range 82.0 to 95.4°C is presented. All data obtained suggest that the behaviour of molten TNT is Newtonian, contrary to the conclusions of some published work, and the temperature dependence of the viscosity of pure TNT is adequately described by an Arrhenius-type relationship of the form = A e^B/T whereA = 0.000 541,B = 3 570 andT is the Kelvin temperature. A similar relationship is obtained for commercial TNT. Under some instrumental conditions discontinuities are seen in the shear stress—shear rate flow curves. An analysis of these discontinuities shows them to be caused by the transition from laminar to turbulent flow. Possible implications for processibility and initiation of explosives are discussed.