Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Preparation of Extracellular Matrix Protein Fibers for Brillouin Spectroscopy
Published on: September 15, 2016
The elastic constants and related properties of beta-HMX determined by Brillouin scattering
Lewis L Stevens1, Craig J Eckhardt
1Department of Chemistry, Center for Materials Research and Analysis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 68588-0304, USA.
Abstract:
By scattering from a variety of acoustic phonons, a complete stiffness tensor has been determined for crystalline beta-HMX. The results are compared with recent experimental and theoretical determinations of the elastic constants and bulk modulus. Reasons for disagreement are discussed in terms of experimental limitations and anharmonic effects. The observed ordering of stiffness constants, C(11) (18.4 GPa), C(22) (14.4 GPa), and C(33) (12.4 GPa), is qualitatively associated with physical phenomena including cleavage planes, patterns in crystal growth, and molecular packing. This interpretation is further corroborated by the linear compressibilities plotted in three crystallographic planes. The Voigt-Reuss-Hill bulk and shear moduli were found to be 9.9 and 3.7 GPa, respectively. The elasticity of beta-HMX is also discussed in relation to proposed mechanisms for the initiation of detonation.
Related Concept Videos
Hooke's Law
Bending of Members Made of Several Materials
Hooke's Law determines stress in each material, stating that stress is proportional to strain but varies due to each material's...
Relation between Poisson's ratio, Modulus of Elasticity and Modulus of Rigidity
Generalized Hooke's Law
IR Spectroscopy: Hooke's Law Approximation of Molecular Vibration
According to Hooke's law, the vibrational frequency is directly proportional to the...
Strain and Elastic Modulus

