Encapsulation of explosive particles by parylene. Quarterly report, October--December, 1971

Parylene is the generic name for members, e.g. parylene N,C,D of a thermoplastic polymer series developed by Union Carbide (Reta is a trade name for the materials). All of the members are laid down by a vacuum, vapor deposition process. The properties and uses for each member of the series differ from each other, but collectively the Parylenes have a wide range of applications. Gas permeability and moisture vapor transmission of Parylene C are very low. These properties make Parylene potentially very useful with or near explosives or components. One of the forms, Parylene C--the monomer of dichloro-di-p-xyly-lene--is potentially attractive. Its density is 1.29 g/cc. In this study the initial emphasis will be on the feasibility of coating HE particles. Substrates of diminishing particle size will be encapsulated to establish the particle-size limitation of the process