Stress-induced radical generation in TATB

Degradation of polycrystalline TATB (2,4,6-trinitrobenzene 1,3,5-triamine) was studied using gamma-irradiation, mechanical impact and frictional grinding. Evidence of molecular alterations were monitored using electron-spin resonance. Optical microscopy and electron scanning microscopy were used to observe changes due to mechanically working the powdered TATB. The dominant free radicals observed appear to be secondary radicals known to be stable at room temperature. This is an example where mechanical and photon generation produce the same final state free radical species.