Constructing inner segregated conductive networks in polymer bonded explosives for significantly enhanced thermal conduction and mechanical properties

Polymer bonded explosives (PBXs) with superior thermal conduction and mechanical properties are highly desirable for modern weapon equipment system. However, it remains difficult to achieve significant and simultaneous enhancements in thermal conduction and mechanical performance of PBXs due to the limited thermal and load transfer efficiency. Here we propose a novel approach to construct inner segregated conductive networks in the polymer binder system which contribute to the effective phonon transform, while the explosive crystals which separate the thermally conductive fillers exhibit mechanical self-reinforcement effect. Through this way, the final PBXs composites present a good enhancement efficiency of over 40% in thermal conductivity with only 0.5 wt% filler content. In the meantime, they also reveal remarkable improved mechanical properties include Brazilian strength and fracture toughness. We believe this simple and effective strategy has provided a good guidance for the fabrication of PBXs composites with both superior thermal conduction and mechanical performance, which could better satisfy the higher requirements proposed to the explosive part of weapon system in new era.