Studies on thermal decomposition of fusible insensitive explosive compositions based on 2, 4-dinitroanisole and waxes

Two energetic ingredients, 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN) and the high-density heterocyclic explosive 4,10-dinitro-2,6,8,12-tetraoxa-4,10-diazatetracyclo-[5.5.0.0 5,9 0 3,11 ]dodecane (TEX), were investigated as components of fusible insensitive explosive formulations. DNAN, a low-melting aromatic nitrocompound, offers practical advantages for melt-casting relative to conventional melt-castable explosives, while exhibiting different mechanical sensitivities and detonation performance compared with benchmark materials. TEX is a promising high-performance secondary explosive that can improve the overall performance of insensitive compositions. A series of cast formulations based on DNAN/TEX with and without wax were prepared to evaluate the influence of inert additive on thermal stability and decomposition behavior. Thermal analysis using differential scanning calorimetry under varying heating conditions was employed to characterize decomposition events, and kinetic parameters were estimated using an isoconversional approach implemented in commercial software. The presence of wax additives modified the decomposition kinetics and thermal response of the formulations. Results are discussed in terms of implications for the safe production, storage, and handling of melt-cast insensitive explosive compositions.