Microstructure, deformation and failure of polymer bonded explosives

• Published in: Journal of materials science Vol. 42; no. 13; pp. 5272 - 5280
• Main Authors: Chen, Pengwan, Huang, Fenglei, Ding, Yansheng
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer 01.07.2007; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aggression; Applied sciences; Binders; Bonding; Chemical industry and chemicals; Composite materials; Composites; Compression tests; Creep (materials); Deformation mechanisms; Exact sciences and technology; Explosives; Failure; Failure analysis; Failure mechanisms; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Industrial chemicals; Longitudinal waves; Materials science; Mechanical properties; Microstructure; PBX (explosives); Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymer matrix composites; Polymers; Powders, propellants, explosives; Scanning electron microscopy; Skeletal composites; Strain; Technology of polymers; Tensile creep; Tensile properties; Nitramine; Strain rate sensitivity; Organic binder; Stress strain relation; Composite explosive; Mechanical properties; Experimental study; Property processing relationship; Composite material; Compression molding; Compressive stress; Tensile stress; Hexafluoropropylene copolymer; Creep curve; Vinylidene fluoride copolymer; Morphology; Chloro trifluoro ethylene copolymer; Fracture surface; Plastic bonded explosive; Fracture mode
• ISSN: 0022-2461; 1573-4803
• DOI: 10.1007/s10853-006-0387-y

Polymer bonded explosives (PBXs) are highly particle filled composite materials comprised of explosive crystals and a polymeric binder (ca. 5-10% by weight). The microstructure and mechanical properties of two pressed PBXs with different binder systems were studied in this paper. The initial microstructure of the pressed PBXs and its evolution under different mechanical aggressions were studied, including quasi-static tension and compression, ultrasonic wave stressing and long-pulse low-velocity impact. Real-time microscopic observation of the PBXs under tension was conducted by using a scanning electron microscope equipped with a loading stage. The mechanical properties under tensile creep, quasi-static tension and compression were studied. The Brazilian test, or diametrical compression, was used to study the tensile properties. The influences of pressing pressures and temperatures, and strain rates on the mechanical properties of PBXs were analyzed. The mesoscale damage modes in initial pressed samples and the samples insulted by different mechanical aggressions, and the corresponding failure mechanisms of the PBXs under different loading conditions were analyzed.