Preparation and Properties of PBXs Based on FOX-7 in Controlled Fragmentation Warhead Application

Polymer bonded explosive(PBX)formulations were successfully prepared in the laboratory scale containing 1, 1-diami- no-2, 2-dinitroethene(FOX-7)and hexogen(RDX)as brisant high explosives and different binder types of polyurethane(PU) based on glycidyl azide polymer(GAP) and hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) as an energetic and inert polymeric binder respectively. Casting technique was used for the preparation of different PBX formulations based on FOX-7 / RDX and PU (GAP / HTPB)with 14% binder. The sensitivity to different initial impulses and performance characteristics of the explosive and lethal zone of the tested controlled fragmentation warhead by the fragmentation warhead assessment test(arena test)were studied, in which the arena test was carried out with a controlled fragmentation warhead made from Ck45 steel, with dimensions (100 mm length, 30 mm outer diameter and 3 mm thickness). Results show that PBXGF4 has lower sensitivity to impact and heat than those of PBXGR4 by 188.4% and 3.2% respectively. Its friction sensitivity is the same as that of PBXGR4. It has better performance, in which detonation velocity increases by 2.1% and brisance increases by 0. 5% when compared with those of PBXGR4. It was concluded that PBXGF4 which based on FOX-7 bonded with PU /GAP matrix has good characteristics as PBX, specially in the sensitivity to impact and can be applied for replacing PBXs based on RDX in the advanced PBXs for low sensitive fragmentation warheads.