Thermal Analysis of the High-Energetic Material HNF

In a search for new storable high performance propellants for the European Space Agency (ESA), the solid oxidiser hydrazinium nitroformate (HNF) has been identified as a very promising ingredient for a new storable composite propellant. The purity and stability of HNF after production are very important indicators for the quality of HNF. In order to characterise HNF,many thermal analysis techniques as DSC and TG/DTA were performed to obtain more information about its stability and its (in)compatibility with other materials. Also some less familiar techniques such as the vacuum stability test and microcalorimetry have been performed. In relation to the safety, a relation between the friction and impact sensitivity and the physical-chemical properties is made. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.