Plastic bonded explosives (PBXs) based on ε-2, 4,6,8,10,4,6,8,10,1,3,3,3,5,3,5,3,4,imidazole (BCHMX) were prepared using a hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene as a binder (HTPB) and cured with hexamethylene di-isocyanate (HMDI). Recently published data for analogous PBXs with a polyisobutylene binder (i.e. a C4 matrix) are also included. All of these PBXs were tested using the Small Scale Water Gap Test according to STANAG 4490, the results of which are directly proportional to the impact and friction sensitivities of the PBXs studied. Reciprocal ratios between the shock sensitivity of these PBXs and their performance were found using the volume heat of explosion as a variable; a semi-logarithmic analogue, using a representative of the detonation pressure (product ρD 2 ) as a variable, has shown an opposite trend for three of these PBXs. A semi-logarithmic relationship between the shock sensitivity of the PBXs and the impact sensitivity of their pure nitramine fillers has confirmed the higher shock reactivity of the C4 PBXs filled with both technical ε-HNIW and RS-ε-HNIW, while for the HTPB PBXs filled with technical grade ε-HNIW, the shock sensitivity found was as expected. The shape and size of the particles should not be a reason for the increased resistance to shock of HMX-C4.
Abstract:In this work, a new bicyclic nitramine, cis-1, 3,4,6-tetranitrooctahydroimidazo-[4,5-d]imidazole (bicyclo-HMX or BCHMX), has been tested for its performance as a shaped charge explosive filler in comparison with three other interesting cyclic nitramines. Four shaped charges were prepared using different nitramine-based plastic bonded explosives (PBXs), and their performance was measured experimentally in terms of the penetration depth into laminated rolled homogeneous armour (RHA) targets. The explosive fillers were highly pressed PBXs based on RDX, HMX, BCHMX and CL-20, bonded by Viton A binder. The Autodyn numerical hydrocode was implemented to determine the shaped charge jet's characteristics and its penetration depth. The experimental and calculated detonation characteristics of the explosives used are reported. Relationships between the detonation characteristics of the explosives and the jet characteristics were observed. The results show that CL-20 is the most powerful explosive, with the largest penetration depth into the RHA target, while BCHMX explosive has a relatively enhanced penetration depth with respect to RDX explosive. The results of the Autodyn code calculations are consistent with the experimental measurements, with a maximum difference of 6.6%.
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