Research on the mechanical properties and curing networks of energetic GAP/TDI binders

This research focused on correlations between the macroscopic mechanical performance and microstructures of energetic binders. Initially a series of glycidyl azide polymer (GAP)/toluene diisocyanate (TDI) binders, catalyzed by a mixture of dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) and triphenyl bismuth (TPB), was prepared. Uniaxial tensile testing, and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance and infrared spectroscopy were then used to investigate the mechanical properties, curing networks, and hydrogen bonding (H-bonds) of these binders. Additionally, a novel method based on the molecular theory of elasticity and the statistical theory of rubber elasticity was used to analyze the integrity of the networks. The results showed that the curing parameter R strongly influences the mechanical properties and toughness of the binders, and that a tensile stress (σ_m) of 1.6 MPa and an elongation (ε_m) of 1041% was observed with an R value of 1.6. The cross-linking density increased sharply with the curing parameter, but only modestly with an R value ≥ 1.8. The proportion of H-bonds formed by the imino groups increased with the R value and reached 72.61% at an R value of 1.6, indicating a positive correlation between the H-bonds and σ_m. Molecular entanglement was demonstrated to increase with R and to contribute dramatically to the mechanical performance. The integrity of these networks, evaluated by a correction factor (A), varies with R, and a network of the GAP/TDI binder with an R value of 1.6 is desirable.