Effects of TKX ‐50 on the Performance of Solid Propellants and Explosives

The development of high-energy materials, which are insensitive, is a goal of many researchers. Dihydroxylammonium 5,5′-bistetrazole-1,1′-diolate (TKX-50), is an example of a promising energetic material (EM) with good thermal stability, performance, and insensitivity, and has attracted a great deal of interest from researchers all over the world. The physicochemical performance of TKX-50 is summarized, and compared with those of other EMs. The compatibilities of TKX-50/CL-20, TKX-50/HMX, and TKX-50/pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) co-crystals, as well as of TKX-50/glycidyl azide polymer (GAP), TKX-50/ammonium perchlorate (AP) and TKX-50/graphene oxide (GO) mixtures are reviewed, and the stabilities intensively analyzed using thermal decomposition techniques. Furthermore, the energetic properties of solid propellants containing different mass fractions of TKX-50 particles are evaluated, and in addition, several analytical techniques have been used to monitor the stability of nitrate ester-based EMs as well. The aim of this work is predominantly to provide a current review on the influence of TKX-50 on the combustion, stability, and detonation performance of solid propellants and explosives. In addition, the current and future prospects for TKX-50 are discussed and summarized, and a critical and analytical examination of its advantages and drawbacks is made.