Shock Initiation Sensitivity of Thermally Cycled PBX 9751 Compared to PBX 9501

PBX 9751 is a recently developed HMX based high explosive with a hydrocarbon oil and polymer binder that has ambient shock initiation studies. In this study high explosive parts were thermally cycled to induce damage, which resulted in a fractal like morphological change. Initiation sensitivity was investigated using embedded electromagnetic gauges paired with planner dynamic compressions on a gas-gun. This data was then compared to previous data on thermally damaged PBX 9501 to compare binder affects on damage pathways. It was found that a minor level of damage will make PBX 9751 less sensitive, contrary PBX 9501. While large amounts of damage alter PBX 9751 into a more sensitive explosive.