Thermal stabilities of polynitroaromatic compounds and their derivatives

The thermal stabilities of 33 polynitroaromatic compounds and their derivatives were determined using non-isothermal differential thermal analysis (DTA). For twelve of these, the thermal stabilities of their mixtures with 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene was also determined. The results obtained are discussed from a molecular structural point of view.The results obtained from DTA measurements are compared with the published data which were derived from the results of the application of the manometric method to the study of the thermal reactivity of polynitroaromatic compounds. The differences which exist between the conclusions reached on basis of DTA application, on the one hand, and those obtained on the basis of the application of the manometric method, on the other hand, are discussed.Using the published relationship for the calculation of the temperature limit (T_max) for the use of polynitroaromatic compounds as secondary thermostable explosives, T_max values are calculated for the compounds being measured. A relationship is derived between T_max and T_D the initial exothermal decomposition temperature obtained from the DTA of the studied compounds.