Friction Sensitivity of the ε-CL-20 Crystals Obtained in Precipitation Process

The purpose of this work was to obtain samples of CL-20 by precipitation process in a solvent/nonsolvent system, under variable process parameters such as: antisolvent kind, time of nonsolvent addition, stirrer speed, mass of seeded crystals of ε-CL-20. Received samples were studied in the aspect of their sensitivity to friction. As the results of the crystallization processes were prepared crystals of different sizes and shapes depend on applied parameters. It was affirmed, that applied antisolvent has essential influence on type of received crystals. CL-20 crystals of cuboid shape and sizes of 80-200 μm were obtained by recrystallization from ethyl acetate/chloroform. As the result of the recrystallization from ethyl acetate/xylene crystals with rounded edges were obtained. Crystals, from both samples, were mostly single and showed the lowest sensitivity to friction. Also, the crystals of irregular shape and sharp-edged agglomerates were obtained from systems with n-heptane, isooctane, cyclohexane and toluene, which revealed the highest friction sensitivities.