Mechanical behavior of PBXW-128 and PBXN-110 under uniaxial and multiaxial compression at different strain rates and temperatures

The influence of strain rate, temperature and confining pressure on the mechanical behavior of PBXN-110 binder "inert" (HTPB, Hydroxy-terminated Polybutadiene) and PBXW-128 simulant "inert" that is mixed with small particles of sugar, approximately 50% by weight, is presented. The polymer PBXN-110 is used as the matrix for the particle reinforced polymer composite (PBXW-128); the latter is the mock or inert equivalent of actual explosive material. The stress-strain response of both polymeric materials under uniaxial compression is dependent on the strain rate. On the other hand, it is observed that PBXW-128 exhibits temperature dependent behavior, while the mechanical response of PBXN-110 is not significantly affected at temperatures above the glass transition temperature. Compression experiments in the presence of confining pressure reveal that the stress-strain responses of both materials are rate insensitive.