The transmission, reflection and photoacoustic FTIR techniques have been used for characterization of polymeric coating of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) using a polyurethane (Estane). Although the bands characteristic of the polymer were indicated by the various techniques, the transmission (casting film) and photoacoustic techniques showed better evidence of polyurethane absorptions in the polymer coating of energetic material. Among the surface-sensitive techniques, PAS spectroscopy shows better result, probably because the polymer coating is at few microns from the surface.
Infrared spectroscopy; polymer; energetic materials