Gas release in energetic compositions with an active fuel binder on exposure to ionizing radiation

Gas chromatography, manometry, and electron spin resonance spectroscopy were used to study the gas release due to the action of electron and gamma radiation on composite energetic compositions and their active fuel binder consisting of polyester urethane and plasticized nitrate esters. It is shown that, under irradiation, fillers such as ammonium perchlorate and aerosil promote decomposition of the active fuel binder and that cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine acts as an inert filler. The possible causes of the findings are discussed.