Preparation of nano-RDX-based polymer-bonded explosive and its improved mechanical and detonation properties

Industrial micron-size hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (m-RDX) has been widely used in RDX-based polymer-bonded explosives (PBX). However, m-RDX results in poor mechanical properties and adhesive properties of RDX-based PBX m-RDX-PBX). Nano-RDX (n-RDX) has a small particle size and a large specific surface area, which provides a larger contact area with the polymer system. Thus, the porosity and compressive properties of PBX are improved if n-RDX is used in RDX-based PBX (RDX-PBX). In this study, m-RDX and n-RDX are used in RDX-PBX. The microstructure, component content, compressive properties, sensitivity properties, and detonation properties of RDX-PBX are investigated. The results show that n-RDX can make RDX-PBX more compact than m-RDX. The strain of n-RDX-based PBX (n-RDX-PBX) is increased by 39.7% as compared to that of m-RDX-PBX. Meanwhile, the content of each component in n-RDX-PBX is consistent with that of the formula. The sensitivity of n-RDX-PBX is lower as compared to that of m-RDX-PBX, whereas the detonation velocity, detonation pressure, and detonation heat of n-RDX-PBX are equivalent to those of m-RDX-PBX.