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Compression measurements were conducted on three explosive formulation binders, extruded Estane, plasticized Estane, and plasticized hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene, as a function of temperature and strain rate. The mechanical response of the Estane was found to exhibit the strongest dependency on strain rate and temperature and higher flow strength for similar test conditions of the three materials tested. Plasticized Estane was less sensitively dependent on strain rate and temperature, followed by the plasticized HTPB. The visco‐elastic recovery of all three binders is seen to dominate the mechanical behavior at temperatures above the glass transition temperature (Tg). There is a pronounced shift in the apparent Tg to higher temperatures as the strain rate is increased. Two distinct behaviors are observed in the binders below the Tg. At low strain rates, the binders exhibit a yield behavior, followed by a drop in the flow stress, which may or may not recover. At high strain rates, the load drop does not occur and the flow stresses either gradually increase, as in plasticized HTPB, or it levels out as seen in the Estane‐based binders. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 46:812–819, 2006. © 2006 Society of Plastics Engineers

Abstract. Compression and tensile measurements were conducted on newly formulated (baseline) and lower molecular weight (virtually-aged) plastic-bonded explosive PBX 9501. The PBX 9501 binder system is composed of nitroplasticized Estane 5703, TM a polyester polyurethane copolymer. The molecular weight of polyester urethanes can degrade with time as a function of hydrolysis, affecting the mechanical behavior of the polymer or a polymer composite material of high explosives, i.e. PBXs. The molecular weight of Estane 5703 TM was degraded by exposure to high temperature and humidity for different periods of time, and then formulated to produce "virtually-aged" PBX 9501 specimens. Quasi-static and dynamic compression tests were conducted on the baseline and virtuallyaged PBX 9501 as a function of temperature and strain rate. Quasi-static tensile tests were also conducted as a function of temperature and test rate. Rate and temperature dependence was exhibited during both compression and tensile loading. Results also show significant differences between the baseline and virtually-aged specimens for the dynamic compression tests at -15°C, and for the quasistatic compression tests at -15°C, 22°C, and 50°C.

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The Modified Steven test geometry has been used with several different target designs to investigate the mechanical loading behavior of PBX9501 to a low velocity impact. A 2 kg. mild steel spigot projectile is launched via a new powder driven gun design, from-20 to 105 m/s, at lightly confmed, steel targets. Brief descriptions of the gun design and operation are given. The threshold velocity to reaction for various target designs, different PBX 9501 lots, and different high explosive (HE) thicknesses are reported and compared. Various diagnostics have been employed to evaluate the pressure profile and timing, and target strain behavior relative to projectile impact. The violence of reaction, as measured by both passive and active techniques, is reported relative to a steady state detonation in PBX 9501. Experimental results suggest slightly different ignition mechanisms dominate based on (HE) thickness, resulting in delayed reactions from-0.2-to 2.8ms after impact. Post-test analyses of the PBX 9501 are briefly summarized.