R. Meyer J. Köhler A. Homburg Explosives

Compositions A; A-2; A-3
The high-polymeric binders in use today include polysulfides (PS),
polybutadieneacrylic acid (PBAA), polybutadiene-acrylonitrile (PBAN),
polyurethane (PU) and carboxyl- and hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene
(CTPB and HTPB).
Nitrates and perchlorates, W Ammonium Perchlorate in particular, are
used as oxidizers.
These propellants can be manufactured by casting or by pressing. The
grain fineness of the salt employed affects the combustion properties
to a significant extent. The mechanical (preferably rubber-elastic)
properties of the plastic binders must satisfy special requirements.
CDB Propellants are combinations of composites with W Double Base
Propellants, which achieve “plateaus” (W Burning Rate) otherwise difficult
to attain.
For details about composite propellants see:
Zähringer, A. F.: Solid Propellant Rockets, Wyandotte, New York 1958
Barrère, Jaumotte, Fraeijs de Veubeke, “Vandekerckhove”: Rocket
Propulsions, Elsevier Publ. Amsterdam 1961
Dadieu, Damm, Schmidt: Raketentreibstoffe, Springer, Wien 1968
Compositions A; A-2; A-3
Pressed charges made of phlegmatized W Hexogen differing from
each other only by the various kinds of wax they contain.
detonation velocity, confined: 8100 m/s
at r = 1.71 g/cm3 Compositions B; B-2
Hexolite; Hexotol
Castable mixtures of Hexogen (RDX) and TNT in the proportion of
60:40; some of them contain wax as an additive. They are used as
fillings for bombs, mines and W Hollow (Shaped) Charges.
density: about 1.65 g/cm3 *)
detonation velocity, confined: 7800 m/s
at r = 1.65 g/cm3 * Can be raised to > 1.7 g/cm 3 by application of special casting techniques.
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