Abstract <p>Recently, TNT has exhibited the problems of high saturated vapor pressure, high toxicity, and high viscosity. In this article, a chemical method was applied to synthesize a new carrier explosive, TNBA. The thermal decomposition performance of TNBA was tested by DSC/TG–MS. Moreover, the mechanical sensitivity, thermal sensitivity, and detonation performance characteristics of TNBA and TNBA-based melt-cast explosives were evaluated. The results showed that the measured density of TNBA was ρ_TNBA,EXP = 1.871 g/cm³. At a heating rate of 10°C/min, the thermal decomposition peak of TNBA occurred at TP = 287°C. The thermal decomposition of TNBA released several gases, including H₂, C, CH₄, H₂O, CO, N₂, CO₂, and HBr. The CO and N₂ peaks were the strongest, indicating that the main components of the decomposed gas were carbon monoxide and nitrogen. These results were similar to the results calculated from NASA CEA2 software. The thermal sensitivity of TNBA was lower than that of TNT. The detonation velocity and heat of explosion values of the TNBA- and TNBA-based melt-cast explosives were similar to those of TNT. In particular, TNBA and its melt-cast explosive had the advantages of chemical energy storage, work capacity, brisance, and the ability to accelerate metals.</p>