Martin Künzel

Thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of ETN and its mixtures with PETN and RDX

Erythritol tetranitrate (butane-1,2,3,4-tetrayl tetranitrate, ETN) has become one of the most synthesized improvised explosives nowadays as it can be found on public internet discussion boards. However, the low melting point, nitrocellulose gelling ability, high energy content, and availability of its precursor make the substance potentially useful in industry as an energetic component or additive in certain gun propellants. Mixtures of ETN with other high explosives are also frequently discussed on web pages dealing with improvised explosives. This article describes thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of pure ETN and its mixtures with pentaerythritol tetranitrate and cyclonite (1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane, RDX). The thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of such mixtures are described using non-isothermal DSC and TG techniques. Kissinger method, Soviet manometric method, and modified Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose method were used for data evaluation.

Analytical Characterization of Erythritol Tetranitrate, an Improvised Explosive†

Erythritol tetranitrate (ETN), an ester of nitric acid and erythritol, is a solid crystalline explosive with high explosive performance. Although it has never been used in any industrial or military application, it has become one of the most prepared and misused improvise explosives. In this study, several analytical techniques were explored to facilitate analysis in forensic laboratories. FTIR and Raman spectrometry measurements expand existing data and bring more detailed assignment of bands through the parallel study of erythritol [15N4] tetranitrate. In the case of powder diffraction, recently published data were verified, and 1H, 13C, and 15N NMR spectra are discussed in detail. The technique of electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was successfully used for the analysis of ETN. Described methods allow fast, versatile, and reliable detection or analysis of samples containing erythritol tetranitrate in forensic laboratories.

The structural response of a reinforced concrete specimen subjected to adjacent blast loading

The paper presents the results of the field tests of FRC and reinforced concrete specimens which were performed in cooperation with the Czech Army corps in the military training area Boletice. The tests were performed using real scale reinforced concrete precast slabs (6×1.5×0.3 m) with varying fibre content, fibre type, fibre strength and concrete strength class and 25 kg of TNT charges placed at a distance from the slab for better simulation of real in-situ conditions. The slabs were recorded using a high speed framing camera during the blast loading. The instrumentation enabled us to study the propagation of the blast shock wave through the material, propagation of the cracks on the soffit of the specimen and the final collapse of the middle part of the slab exposed to blast loading. The sequence of the structural behaviour is documented in detail and verified by numerical modelling using the LS-DYNA solver.