Characterization of Plastic-Bonded Explosives

Current design emphasis in the weapons community requires the deter mination of the mechanical properties of plastic-bonded explosives. These mechanical properties are difficult to determine due to the physical characteristics of high explosives, namely high solids loading with a plastic binder resulting in a stiff and brittle polymeric material. This paper sum marizes the room temperature mechanical and visual characterization of a representative group of plastic-bonded explosives. These materials are: PBX 9501, an HMX-based explosive; 900-10, an inert mockup; and PBX 9502, a TATB-based insensitive explosive.