Development of energetic additives for propellants in China

The development of energetic azide binders and plasticizers for solid propellants in China is described. Fourteen representatives of azides synthesized mainly by the authors on a small laboratory scale are involved. The reaction routes and conditions for preparing these azides are summarized; performance of the azides, including density, melting point, enthalpy of formation, thermal decomposition temperature determined by differential scanning calorimetry or differential thermal analysis, impact sensitivity, etc., were tested and are presented. The application of these azides to solid propellants or plastic-bonded explosives is still comparatively new in this country, with very little information available at the present time. A few results are briefly mentioned. We arrange the stated azides under six categories. (Author)