R. Meyer J. Köhler A. Homburg Explosives

Metriol Trinitrate
Metriol Trinitrate
methyltrimethylolmethane trinitrate; Metrioltrinitrat;
Nitropentaglycerin; trinitrate de triméthylolméthylméthane; TMETN
214
pale-colored, oily substance
empirical formula: C5H9N3O9
molecular weight: 255.1
energy of formation: –373.8 kcal/kg = –1564.1 kJ/kg
enthalpy of formation:
–398.2 kcal/kg = –1666.1 kJ/kg
oxygen balance: –34.5%
nitrogen content: 16.47%
volume of explosion gases: 966 l/kg
heat of explosion
(H2O liq.): 1182 kcal/kg = 4945 kJ/kg
(H2O gas): 1087 kcal/kg = 4549 kJ/kg
specific energy: 124 mt/kg = 1215 kJ/kg
density: 1.460 g/cm3 solidification point: –15 °C = +5 °F
lead block test: 400 cm3 /10 g
deflagration point: 182 °C = 360 °F
impact sensitivity: 0.02 kp m = 0.2 N m
The oil is practically insoluble in water and is chemically very stable.
When mixed with nitrocellulose, it can be gelatinized on rollers only to
a moderate extent and only at an elevated temperature. The volatility
of the trinitrate is low.
Metriol trinitrate can be prepared by nitration of methyltrimethylolmethane
(Metriol) with mixed acid. Metriol is prepared by condensation
of propanal with formaldehyde in a manner similar to that employed
in the synthesis of pentaerythritol.
During the Second World War, mixtures of metriol trinitrate with triglycol
dinitrate (a good gelatinizer of nitrocellulose) were processed
together with nitrocellulose to produce tropic-proof propellants. They
were also distinguished by good mechanical strenght for employment
in rocket motors. TMETN is an excellent plasticizer for GAP or other
energetic polymer binders.