Accession Number:

ADA056414

Title:

Explosion on a Single Molecule Level: A Conceptual Model Based on Ionization and Fragmentation of TNT under Electron Impact

Descriptive Note:

Corporate Author:

ARMY ARMAMENT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CENTER DOVER NJ LARGE CALIBER WEAPON SYSTEMS LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Bulusu, Suryanarayana

Report Date:

1978-06-01

Pagination or Media Count:

14.0

Abstract:

Several studies of the mass spectra of nitroaromatic compounds have appeared in recent literature with emphasis on either analytical applications or on the modes of electron impact fragmentation. The chemistry of the nitroaromatic compounds is of considerable interest to the field of explosives because of the central role played by TNT 2-4-6-trinitrotoluene in a wide variety of armaments. Electron impact studies of explosives and related substances were initiated in this laboratory in order to provide a comparison with other modes of decomposition such as by heat, light and ionizing radiation. The knowledge thus gained should provide an insight into the nature of the chemical species and processes preceding detonation.

Descriptors:

• *ELECTRON IMPACT SPECTRA
• *FRAGMENTATION
• *IONIZATION
• *TNT
• AROMATIC COMPOUNDS
• DECOMPOSITION
• DETONATIONS
• HEAT
• IONIZING RADIATION
• ISOMERS
• LIGHT
• MASS SPECTROSCOPY
• NITRAMINES
• NITRO RADICALS

Subject Categories:

• Ammunition and Explosives
• Atomic and Molecular Physics and Spectroscopy

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE