Small-Angle Neutron Scattering Reveals how High Explosives Age Ungracefully
Neutron scattering is a non-invasive technique which can be used on very small sample sizes - allowing analysis of explosives without having to detonate them.
Researchers have found that polymer explosives age due to a process called crosslinking, which decreases material strength.
Study of this problem can aid in national defense applications, where an understanding of the aging explosives is essential.
Schematic of crosslinking of polymer strands in the material.