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 | Studies on Physico Mechanical and Explosive Characteristics of RDX HMX Based Castable Plastic Bonded Explosives
Author : Phadke, (Ms) V.K. ;Prakash, Vinay;Tadas, V.V.;Sinha, R.K.;Gharia, J.S.
Source : Defence Science Journal ; Vol:48(1) ; 1998 ; pp 125-130
Subject : 620.261 Explosives
Keywords : Composite material;Plastic bonded explosive;Conventional cast explosives;Plasticizer ratios;Polybutadiene based castable
Abstract : Conventional cast explosives (RDX/TNT) have major drawbacks of poor mechanical properties, shrinkages and higher sensitivity. These properties can be improved by applying plastic binder systems. The plastic-bonded explosive (PBX) is a composite material in which solid explosive particles are dispersed in a polymer matrix. The present paper describes the development of a nitramine/hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB)-based castable PBX. The PBXs were processed as per standard procedures. Bimodal/trimodal particle size system was selected to reach a solid loading of 88 wt per cent. High solid loading was made possible through proper combination of coarse/fine ratio of solid ingredients, which was based on a number of tap density experiments. Processability of the binder system was studied by using various wetting agents as well as by selecting binder/plasticizer ratios. Mechanical properties of the PBXs were enhanced by different crosslinking agents. The explosive properties of PBXs including detonation velocity, processability and sensitivity to different types of stimuli, were studied. The results show that PBXs can be manufactured with detonation properties better than those of composition B/octol with the added advantages of superior thermal and sensitivity characteristics. |
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