Explosive Energy Release Characteristics of Two HMX-based Thermobaric Explosives with different Bonder Systems

doi:10.12382/bgxb.2025.0312

Abstract

Abstract:

The explosive energy release characteristics of thermobaric explosives with different binder systems during detonation are studies.Two types of HMX-based thermobaric explosives with similar formulations are selected for testing of detonation heat，detonation velocity，detonation driving performance，and internal explosion performance.In addition，the influence of differences in the binders on the reaction rate of aluminum powder and the release process of explosive energy in thermobaric explosives is analyzed.The results indicate that the aluminum powders in thermobaric explosives with different binder systems show significant differences in the reaction and energy release processes.Among them，the reaction rate of aluminum powder in thermosetting casting thermobaric explosives is faster than that of aluminum powder in thermoplastic casting thermobaric explosives.Moreover，the aluminum powder involved in aerobic combustion of thermoplastic casting thermobaric explosives is more than that involved in aerobic combustion of thermosetting casting thermobaric explosives，resulting in the expansion mechanical energy converted by its thermal effect compensating for the insufficient mechanical energy converted by shock waves.In summary，this research provides experimental evidence and support for the selection of charges and the estimation of destructive performance for the relevant warheads.

Key words: thermobaric explosive, binder system, energy release characteristics, explosion driving

FU Lu, HUANG Fenglei. Explosive Energy Release Characteristics of Two HMX-based Thermobaric Explosives with different Bonder Systems[J]. Acta Armamentarii, 2025, 46(S1): 250312-.

Figures/Tables 12

Table 1 Formulations of GA1 and GB1

配方	HMX	Al	黏合剂种类	黏合剂含量
GA1	53%	35%	GOL-939	12%
GB1	53%	35%	PMX-3	12%

Fig.1 Schematic diagram of burst heat test device

Fig.2 Schematic diagram of the test device for detonation velocity

Fig.3 Cylinder test layout

Fig.4 Layout diagram of internal explosion test

Table 2 Detonation parameters of two HMX-based thermobaric explosives

配方	ρ/（g·cm^-3）	D/（m·s^-1）	Q/（J·g^-1）
GA1	1.89	7809	7419
GB1	1.86	7723	7520

Fig.5 The results of cylinder test for two thermobaric explosives

Table 3 The expansion velocity and specific kinetic energy of the cylinder at the characteristic position

配方	ΔR_e/mm	μ_s/（mm·μs^-1）	E/（kJ·g^-1）
GA1	12	1.261	0.795
	38	1.441	1.038
	50	1.464	1.072
GB1	12	1.128	0.636
	38	1.258	0.791
	50	1.297	0.841

Fig.6 Overpressure curve of shock wave in internal explosion test

Fig.7 Comparison of implosion overpressure curves

Fig.8 The quasi-static pressure curve for internal explosion test

Table 4 Peak values of various physical quantities in air and nitrogen environment

配方	Δp/MPa		Δp_qs/MPa
配方	空气	N₂	空气	N₂
GA1	9.20	8.82	0.355	0.327
GB1	7.64	7.21	0.369	0.303

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