High Blast Explosive

High Blast Explosive, or HBX, is an explosive used as a bursting charge in missile warheads, mines, depth bombs, depth charges, and torpedoes.

History

It was developed during World War II as a desensitized modification of Torpex explosives.[1]

Properties

It is an aluminized (powdered aluminum) explosive having the same order of sensitivity as Composition B.[1]

Tests indicate that it will be about 98% to 100% as powerful as Torpex, that it will definitely be less sensitive than Torpex in both laboratory impact and bullet impact, that it will be slightly more sensitive in these respects than TNT, and that it will be about the same order as Composition B.[2]

A difficulty with HBX is that they produce gas and build up pressure in the case during stowage. It has been discovered that adding calcium chloride to the mixture will absorb all the moisture and eliminate the production of gas.[2]

Composition

There are three types of HBX explosives: HBX-1, HBX-3, and H-6. Below is each type's "Grade A" composition based on weight:[3]

  • HBX-1
CompositionPercent by weight
RDX plus nitrocellulose, calcium chloride and calcium silicate40.4 ± 3%
TNT37.8 ± 3%
Aluminum17.1 ± 3%
Wax plus lecithin4.7 ± 1%
  • HBX-3
CompositionPercent by weight
RDX plus nitrocellulose, calcium chloride and calcium silicate31.3 ± 3%
TNT29.0 ± 3%
Aluminum34.8 ± 3%
Wax plus lecithin4.9 ± 1%
  • H-6
CompositionPercent by weight
RDX plus nitrocellulose, calcium chloride and calcium silicate45.1 ± 3%
TNT29.2 ± 3%
Aluminum21.0 ± 3%
Wax plus lecithin4.7 ± 1%

References

  1. 1 2 "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-06-15. Retrieved 2013-09-30. "Ordnance Technical Data Sheet U.S. BOMB, 325-350-LB, DEPTH BOMB, MK 54/MK 54 Mod 1"
  2. 1 2 "U.S. Explosive Ordnance, OP 1664, 1947"
  3. ↑ "MIL-E-22267 Rev. A"


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