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Characterising the Response of Energetic materials and Polymer-Bonded Explosives (PBXs) to High-Rate Loading.

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 February 2011

William Proud ,
M.W. Greenaway ,
C.R. Siviour ,
H. Czerski ,
J.E. Field ,
D. Porter ,
P. Gould ,
P.D. Church  and
I.G. Cullis
William Proud
Affiliation:
wpg1000@phy.cam.ac.uk, Cavendish Laboratory, Physics and Chemistry of Solids Group, J.J. Thomson Ave., Madingley Road, Cambridge, N/A, CB3 0HE, United Kingdom, 01223-337205, 01223-337336
M.W. Greenaway
Affiliation:
Physics and Chemistry of Solids Group, Cavendish Laboratory, J.J. Thomson Ave, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
C.R. Siviour
Affiliation:
Physics and Chemistry of Solids Group, Cavendish Laboratory, J.J. Thomson Ave, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
H. Czerski
Affiliation:
Physics and Chemistry of Solids Group, Cavendish Laboratory, J.J. Thomson Ave, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
J.E. Field
Affiliation:
Physics and Chemistry of Solids Group, Cavendish Laboratory, J.J. Thomson Ave, Cambridge, CB3 0HE, United Kingdom
D. Porter
Affiliation:
QinetiQ, Farnborough, Ively Road, Farnborough, GU14 0LX, United Kingdom
P. Gould
Affiliation:
QinetiQ, Farnborough, Ively Road, Farnborough, GU14 0LX, United Kingdom
P.D. Church
Affiliation:
QinetiQ, Fort Halstead, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 7BP, United Kingdom
I.G. Cullis
Affiliation:
QinetiQ, Fort Halstead, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 7BP, United Kingdom
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Abstract

Polymer-bonded explosives (PBXs) are being increasingly used as energetic fillings and components in many systems. They are perceived as more chemically and mechanically stable than traditional fillings such as RDX/TNT. They are castable into predetermined shapes, machinable and can be used as structural components. However, along with all these undeniable advantages, as a class, these materials are now undergoing extensive characterisation to ensure they comply with both the legal and technical requirements in energetic systems.

It is well-known that polymers display non-linear behaviour and are much more complex than, for example, simple metal systems at any rate of strain. The understanding of PBX systems involves areas as diverse as polymer chemistry, chemical compatibility, mechanical properties, impact tests, and thermal stability. In this paper, aspects of energetic material response are outlined which are relevant to the understanding of PBX sensitivity.

Keywords

energetic materialpolymergrain size
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 896: Symposium H – Multifunctional Energetic Materials , 2005 , 0896-H08-02
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2006

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References

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