Polymer-bonded explosive
A polymer-bonded explosive, also called PBX or plastic-bonded explosive, is an explosive material in which explosive powder is bound together in a matrix using small quantities (typically 5-10% by weight) of a synthetic polymer ("plastic")
PBXes are normally used for explosive materials which are not easily meltable to cast or which are otherwise hard to form.
Polymer-bonded explosives have several potential advantages:
- If the polymer matrix is an elastomer (rubbery material), it tends to absorb shocks, making the PBX very insensitive to accidental detonation.
- Hard polymers can produce PBX that is very rigid, and maintains a precise engineering shape even under severe stress.
- PBX powders can be pressed into a particular shape at room temperature, when casting normally requires hazardous melting of the explosive. High pressure pressing can achieve density for the material very close to the theoretical crystal density of the base explosive material.
- Many PBXes are safe to machine to turn solid blocks into complex 3-dimentional shapes. This technique is used at nuclear weapons fabrication plants.
| Name | Explosive Ingredients | Binder Ingredients | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| X-0242 | 92% HMX | 8% polymer | |
| EDC-37 | 91% HMX/NC | 9% polyurethane rubber | |
| PBXN-5 | 95% HMX | 5% fluoroelastomer | Naval shells |
| PBXN-106 | RDX | polyurethane rubber | Naval shells |
| LX-14-0 | HMX 95.5% | Estane & 5702-Fl 4.5% | |
| LX-10-0 | HMX 95% | Viton-A 5% | |
| LX-10-1 | HMX 94.5% | Viton-A 5.5% | |
| PBX-9501 | HMX 95% | Estane 2.5%; BDNPA-F 2.5% | |
| PBX-9404 | HMX 94% | NC 3%; CEF 3% | |
| LX-09-1 | HMX 93.3% | BDNPA 4.4%; FEFO 2.3% | |
| LX-09-0 | HMX 93% | BDNPA 4.6%; FEFO 2.4% | |
| LX-07-2 | HMX 90% | Viton-A 10% | |
| PBX-9011 | HMX 90% | Estane and 5703-Fl 10% | |
| LX-04-1 | HMX 85% | Viton-A 15% | |
| LX-11-0 | HMX 80% | Viton-A 20% | |
| LX-15 | HNIS 95% | Kel-F 800 5% | |
| LX-16 | PETN 96% | FPC461 6% | |
| PBX-9604 | RDX 96% | Kel-F 800 4% | |
| PBX-9407 | RDX 94% | FPC461 6% | |
| PBX-9205 | RDX 92% | Polystyrene 6%; DOP 2% | |
| PBX-9007 | RDX 90% | Polystyrene 9.1%; DOP 0.5%; rosin 0.4% | |
| PBX-9010 | RDX 90% | Kel-F 3700 10% | |
| PBX-9502 | TATB 95% | Kel-F 800 5% | |
| LX-17-0 | TATB 92.5% | Kel-F 800 7.5% | |
| PBX-9503 | TATB 80%; HMX 15% | Kel-F 800 5% |
References:
Cooper, Paul W., Explosives Engineering, New York: Wiley-VCH, 1996. ISBN 0-471-18636-8