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PBX9502
1. GENERAL PROPERTIES
1.1 Chemical and Physical Properties. PBX 9502 is a plastic-bonded explosive
composed of TATB bonded with Kel-F 800. The molding powder is yellow to tan or
light brown.
1.2 Common Use. PBX 9502 is extremely.difficult to initiate either deliberately
or accidentally. It is used as the explosive in nuclear ordnance.
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1.3 Toxicity. The toxicity is that of TATB. The maximum permissible con-
centration of TATB in air is 1.5 mg/m”. TATB was not mutagenic when tested in
five strains of Salmonella typhimurium and in Escherichia coli strain WP.
2. MANUFACTURE AND PROCUREMENT
2.1 Manufacture. PBX-9502 molding powder is prepared by the water slurry
process. A Kel-F 800 lacquer is prepared in a solvent that is partially immiscible in
water. This is added t,o a water slurry containing TATB. The solvent is extracted
from the lacquer by adding water. The TATB particles are plastic coated and ag-
glomerated during the extraction process. A simmering period is used to adjust the
agglomerate size. The process variables must be carefully controlled to produce
satisfactory agglomerates, composition, and bulk density.
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