Explosively driven fragmentation mechanisms of Al-W particulate composite rings were investigated. The effect of mesostructure (particulate Al and W, particulate Al and W fibers) and bonding between Al particles (processing via cold isostatic and cold isostatic + hot isostatic pressing) were determined. The kinematics of the expansion process was monitored using Photon Doppler Velocimetry measurements of the velocity of the outer surface of the rings. Numerical simulations of the expansion velocity of rings were in agreement with experimental data. The agglomerated fragments larger than sizes of initial Al particles were observed in