LAUSR

Abstract Accidental initiation of polymer bonded explosives (PBX) may take place during manufacturing, handling or transport. The sensitivity to initiation depends on the microstructural properties of PBXs, including particle size distribution, density, initial defects, porosity, etc. Finite element simulations of a representative PBX microstructure under ultrasonic vibration are used to understand the effect of relative particle locations and distance between particles on the local temperature rise in PBXs. The simulations show that larger particles damage earlier and the behavior of the smaller particles in the microstructure largely depends on their position with respect to the larger particles and the loading boundary. The adhesion between the particles and the polymer has a direct effect on the formation of hot-spots due to friction and through local increase of compressive stresses that may cause a surge in heat generation.