Application of small-angle neutron scattering to the study of porosity in energetic materials

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and the method of contrast variation were used to measure porosity and crystallite surface area in the energetic system octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) and to gauge the effects of mechanical deformation on the pore-size distribution and crystallite surface area. The crystallite surface area and the presence of voids (pores) in a high explosive system are known to affect its behavior and overall performance. Measures of these two quantities after an insult, resulting from various process and accident scenarios, can be used to predict the performance of an explosive system after process- and accident-related mechanical deformation. The contrast variation technique allows us to discriminate between internal pores and features that are on or contiguous with the crystallite surface. Measurements were conducted on loose powders of HMX (261 and 10 mu m, volume averaged mean particle diameters) and pellets made by uniaxial consolidation to 7 and 10 vol% porosity, respectively. Analysis of the SANS data indicates significant alteration of the intragranular pore structure and systematic shifts in the surface area that are dependent upon mechanical deformation.