Mechanical and Explosive Properties of Plastic Bonded Explosives Based on Mixture of HMX and TATB

  • Arjun Singh Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh
  • Mahesh Kumar Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh
  • Pramod Soni Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh
  • Manjit Singh Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh
  • Alok Srivastava Panjab University, Chandigarh
Keywords: High explosive, plastic bonded explosive, detonic, sensitivity, mechanical property

Abstract

This paper describes formulation of plastic bonded explosives (PBXs) compositions based on 2,4,6- triamino-1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TATB), Octahydro l,3,5,7-tetranitro- 1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) by varying their relative amounts with Viton A as polymeric binder by slurry coating technique. These PBXs compositions are studied for mechanical and detonic properties. It has been observed that sensitivity and explosive performance of PBXs based on mixture of HMX and TATB were varied over a wide considerable range by varying relative amounts of TATB and HMX. The detonation study revealed there was increased in velocity of detonation (VOD) and detonation pressure with increasing amount of HMX from 10-80 % by weight. The sensitivity test results exhibited that insensitivity to impact for PBXs compositions was found to decrease with increasing HMX amount.  Friction sensitivity study showed that no reactions were observed upto 36 kg load for PBXs compositions namely HT6030, HT5040, HT4050, HT3060, HT2070 and HT1080. The compressive strength of these PBXs compositions was found within the range of 9-11 MPa.

Defence Science Journal, 2013, 63(6), pp.622-629, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.63.5764

Author Biographies

Arjun Singh, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh
Mr Arjun Singh, obtained his M.Sc (Chemistry) from Himachal Pradesh University Shimla. He is working as Scientist ‘D’ in Terminal Ballistics Research laboratory, Chandigarh. He has more than 10 papers in international Journal and a patent in his credit. His areas of interest are synthesis of spherical phenolic beads, activated carbon spheres, NBC items, thermal study, plastic bonded explosive, and fluoropolymer.
Mahesh Kumar, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh
Mr Mahesh Kumar obtained his MSc (Chemistry) from Summer Hill University, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India. He is working as Scientist ‘C’ in Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, TBRL/DrDo. JrF from uGC (2007-2008). His research experience in the field of High explosives, plastic bonded explosives, flouroelastomers.
Pramod Soni, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh
Dr P K Soni completed Msc From JunV University, Jodhpur, Rajasthan and obtained PhD from Panjab University, Chandigarh. He is working as Scientist ‘E’ in Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL). He is working in the field of High explosives, specially development of PBXs and their thermochemical and detonic characterizations. His areas of interests include explosive detection technologies and phase transformation of polymorphs of HMX.
Manjit Singh, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh
dr Manjit Singh completed his MSc, MPhil & PhD, from Deptt of Physics, Panjab University, Chandigarh. Presently working as a Director, at Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL). He has published more than 60 papers in National and International journals. He has received, Technology Award in 2001, Scientist of the Year Award in 2010, Special Award for Strategic Contributions in 2013. He has been working in the field of ‘detonics of high explosives and shock dynamics’ which remained his core competence and area of specialization.
Alok Srivastava, Panjab University, Chandigarh
Dr Alok Srivastava obtained his BSc (Hons) and MSc from Institute of Science, Mumbai and PhD from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in the field of nuclear Fission. Presently working as Professor of Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh. He is working in the area of material science, environmental science and geoscience besides radiation biology and nuclear reactions. He has published around 75 papers in International Journals.
Published
2013-12-18
How to Cite
Singh, A., Kumar, M., Soni, P., Singh, M., & Srivastava, A. (2013). Mechanical and Explosive Properties of Plastic Bonded Explosives Based on Mixture of HMX and TATB. Defence Science Journal, 63(6), 622-629. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.63.5764

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