Evaluation of Plastic Bonded Explosive (PBX) Formulations Based on RDX, Aluminum, and HTPB for Underwater Applications

Abstract

Aluminized high explosives are known to give better underwater performance. All explosive formulations for underwater targets are filled into warheads and shells by casting method. TNT, a high explosive is used as casting medium due to its lower melting point. Plastic bonded explosives are fast replacing TNT-based high explosive formulations for the reasons that they are more insensitive and low vulnerable explosives with better shelf life. Few aluminized plastic bonded explosive formulations based on RDX, aluminum, and HTPB have been processed, varying the aluminum content from 0 to 35% and evaluated underwater. The present paper discusses the experimental methodology adopted to evaluate the above formulations for their ballistic parameters, viz., peak over pressure and impulse. Explosion bulge tests have been conducted with each explosive formulation and extent of bulge in test plates is presented and compared with a standard underwater explosive, viz., HBX-3.

Blast loading of underwater targets – A study through Explosion Bulge Test experiments

“…EBT can also be used for estimating the relative performance of different explosives, in terms of their power to damage or the bulge made in the specimen test plate [8]. In the present study, EBTs were used to assess the reduction in bulge of rectangular mild steel (IS 2062) specimen plates under different conditions of back up.…”

Production and characterization of nanometer explosives

“…The nitramine explosives (RDX, HMX and CL-20) are with high detonation heat, detonation velocity and detonation pressure, and they have been extensively used in plastic bonded explosives(PBX) [1][2][3] and propellants [4][5][6][7][8][9]. The sensitivities of explosives are decreased effectively by reducing the particle sizes, and if the nano particles were obtained, the sensitivities would be greatly decreased [10][11][12].…”

Underwater detonation performance of the aluminum film explosive

“…Plastic bonded explosives (PBX) based on a polymeric binder offer a superior solution. Kumar and Rao [4] reviewed the usage of the aluminum powder in plastic bonded explosives and established its potential as a total energy enhancer. The results of the study given by Rumchik and Jordan [5] indicate that, under high strain rate loading, the decrease in the spherical aluminum particle size in a polymer bonded explosive result in increasing peak stress.…”