The Department of Defense (DoD) has interest in evaluating PBXC-29 as a replacement for PBXN-5 in booster and main charge applications. Currently, the PBXC-29 formulation process requires a lacquer system based on harsh organic solvents. The overall objective of this program is to evaluate and scale-up PBXC-29, an HMX-based formulation with a poly-lauryl methacrylate (pLMA) binder system, for use in booster and main charge applications.

The overall approach of this project will involve the optimization and assessment of the existing PBXC‐29 pressed explosive formulation for PBXN‐5‐like booster applications. The project will be a collaborative effort between the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center and Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division where the latter will carry out initial lab‐scale slurry‐coating formulation optimization efforts and the former will conduct performance evaluations and scale up the formulation to the 10 liter pre‐pilot batch scale.

Specific tasks will include:

• Task 1 - Laboratory Scale Formulation Development: Perform an investigation of the polymer lacquer system to downselect the optimal polymer/solvent combination, avoiding solvents such as toluene. PBXC-29 will be characterized with compositional analysis, safety tests, pressing studies and small scale shock sensitivity tests.
• Task 2 - Performance Evaluation: Assess effectiveness of PBXC‐29 compared to legacy PBXN‐5 in terms of expected booster performance/sensitivity to shock, and compliance to existing fuze safety practices.
• Task 3 - Pre‐Pilot Scale Production and Characterization: Further scale up the PBXC‐29 slurry-coating process to the pre‐pilot scale then conduct mechanical properties and small scale gap test characterization on the material.

Toluene emissions are closely monitored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA establishes a yearly maximum allowable limit on toluene emissions and when this limit is reached, production of the material is suspended for the remainder of the year. The formulation would also help to mitigate environmental hazards associated with the use of toluene limiting production capacity of the current booster explosive.