THERMAL-CHARACTERISTICS OF ENERGETIC POLYMERS BASED ON TETRAHYDROFURAN AND OXETANE DERIVATIVES

Thermal characteristics and decomposition behaviors of energetic polymers based on oxetane derivatives, 3,3'-bis(azidomethyl)oxetane (BAMO), 3-azidomethyl-3'-methyloxetane (AMMO), 3-nitratomethyl-3'-methyloxetane (NMMO), and 3,3'-bis(ethoxymethyl)oxetane (BEMO), were studied by means of differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) and thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). These polymers were found to exhibit low glass transition decomposition enthalpies which were brought about by the attached azide (-N-3) and nitrate (-ONO2) groups. The decomposition enthalpies depended on the types and contents of the energetic substituents. The NMMO-based polymers exhibited relatively higher decomposition enthalpies and less thermal stability than the others. Furthermore, the thermal stability of the polymers was further improved by partial curing treatment. These results reveal that these polymers are potentially useful for application in energetic propellant binders. (C) 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.