A test to measure long-term high-temperature thermal stability of energetic materials

We have developed an inexpensive, mercury-free manometric thermal stability test for explosives. The test is especially effective for high-temperature long-duration studies. It overcomes the limitations of the military-standard vacuum thermal stability (VTS) test that can only measure up to 11 cm(3)/g gassing, is temperature limited, bulky, fragile and uses mercury. In contrast, our ampule thermal stability test can measure up to 300 cm(3)/g gassing at temperatures up to 350 degrees C. We routinely run tests for 2 to 2,000 hours. The small size of the test equipment coupled with the ability to store heat-treated ampules for an extended period of time before they are broken and the internal pressure measured, makes it convenient to run a large number of tests simultaneously.