High Blast Explosive

This article is about the explosive. For other uses, see HBX (disambiguation).

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 WWII 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]

Composition Percent by Weight
RDX plus Nitrocellullose, Calcium Chloride and Calcium Silicate 40.4 ± 3%
TNT 37.8 ± 3%
Aluminum 17.1 ± 3%
Wax plus Lecithin 4.7 ± 1%
Composition Percent by Weight
RDX plus Nitrocellullose, Calcium Chloride and Calcium Silicate 31.3 ± 3%
TNT 29.0 ± 3%
Aluminum 34.8 ± 3%
Wax plus Lecithin 4.9 ± 1%
Composition Percent by Weight
RDX plus Nitrocellullose, Calcium Chloride and Calcium Silicate 45.1 ± 3%
TNT 29.2 ± 3%
Aluminum 21.0 ± 3%
Wax plus Lecithin 4.7 ± 1%

References

  1. 1 2 "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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