Effects of content and particle size of TiH2 powders on the energy output rules of RDX composite explosives

In order to improve the detonation characteristics of RDX, a RDX-based composite explosive with TiH2 powders was prepared. The effects of content and particle size of TiH2 powders on thermal safety, shock wave parameters and thermal damage effects of RDX-based composite explosive were studied with the C80 microcalorimeter, air blast experiment system and colorimetric thermometry method. Experimental results showed that TiH2 powders could enhance the thermal stability of RDX-based composite explosive and increase its ultimate decomposition heat. The content and particle size of TiH2 powders also had significant effects on the thermal safety, detonation velocity, shock wave parameters, fireball temperature and duration of RDX-based composite explosives. Furthermore, the differences of TiH2 and Ti powders on the detonation energy output rules of RDX-based composite explosives were also compared, showing that TiH2 powders had better influences on improving the explosion power and thermal damage effect of RDX-based composite explosives than Ti powders, for the participation of free H2 released by TiH2 powders in the detonation process. TiH2 powders have important research values as a novel energetic additive in the field of military composite explosives.