CAST THERMOBARIC PBX EXPLOSIVES

 Danica Simić

Apstract:

Cast thermobaric PBX explosives (Plastic Bonded eXplosives, polymer-bonded explosives) are a group of explosive mixtures of the new generation, multi-component compositions of widespread use - especially effective for destruction of soft targets (bunkers, tunnels, buildings, fortifications) and disabling enemy live force, for the anti-terrorist fight, for underwater application, etc. Thermobaric explosives are the explosive compositions of emphasized thermal and blast effects compared to conventional explosives. As the cast thermobaric explosives are basically composites based on polymer binder, crystal high explosive, metal fuel and oxidant, they belong to a group of so-called PBX explosives and are intended for  insensitive munitions - IM. Given the trend of reducing the sensitivity of ammunition, researches in the field of PBX explosives are ongoing worldwide and for the last several years  in our country. The essential characteristic of cast thermobaric explosives is the intensity of their effect, which is manifested by increased pressure and heat evolved in the surrounding of the detonation site.

This paper presents an overview of the development of cast thermobaric PBX explosives in the world and in our country so far, and an overview of the methods used to quantify the thermobaric effect using different methods of measuring the thermal effects and the parameters of the shock wave in air. An overview is given of the raw materials that are commonly used for making different compositions of cast thermobaric PBX explosives in the world and in our country. The importance and function of individual components are emphasized (besides the crystalline explosives and polymer binder, a special reference is made to the metal fuel component and the oxidant). There are also presented the results of tests on thermobaric explosive compositions developed in the Military Technical Institute (VTI) during several years of research and development.