Polymer-bonded explosive

A polymer-bonded explosive, also called PBX or plastic-bonded explosive, is an explosive material in which particles of explosive are set into a matrix of a synthetic polymer ("plastic"). Polymer-bonded explosives have several potential advantages:

• If the polymer matrix is an elastomer (rubbery material), it tends to absorb shocks, making the PBX very insensitive to accidental detonation;
• Hard polymers can produce PBX that is very rigid, and maintains a precise engineering shape even under severe stress; and
• PBX can be cast into a particular shape as a liquid at room temperature, when casting normally requires hazardous melting of the explosive.

Some example PBXs

Name	Composition	Usage
LX-110	95.5% HMX, 4.5% Viton
X-0242	92% HMX, 8% polymer
EDC-37	91% HMX/NC, 9% polyurethane rubber
PBXN-5	95% HMX, 5% fluoroelastomer	Naval shells
PBXN-106	RDX, polyurethane rubber	Naval shells
PBX-9501	95% HMX, 2.5% Estane 5703, 2.5% BDNPA-F	Nuclear weapon initiation