The elastic constants and related properties of the epsilon polymorph of the energetic material CL-20 determined by Brillouin scattering

James J Haycraft

doi:10.1063/1.3244981

The elastic constants and related properties of the epsilon polymorph of the energetic material CL-20 determined by Brillouin scattering

J Chem Phys. 2009 Dec 7;131(21):214501. doi: 10.1063/1.3244981.

Author

James J Haycraft¹

Affiliation

¹ Energetics Research Division (Code 474300D), Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, China Lake, California 93555-6100, USA. james.j.haycraft@navy.mil

PMID: 19968345
DOI: 10.1063/1.3244981

Abstract

The acoustic phonons of the epsilon polymorph of 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazatetracyclo [5.5.0.0(5,9).0(3,11)] dodecane (epsilon-CL-20) have been studied using Brillouin scattering spectroscopy. Analysis of the acoustic phonon velocities allowed determination of the complete stiffness tensor for this energetic material. The results are compared to a theoretical determination of the epsilon-CL-20 elastic constants, bulk moduli, and shear moduli. The observed ordering of elastic constants, C(22)>C(33)>C(11), is noted to be different from other nitramine energetic materials. Finally, the elasticity of epsilon-CL-20 is compared to recently published reports on cyclotrimethylene trinitramine's (RDX) elasticity and the beta polymorph of cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine's (beta-HMX) elasticity.