Estimation of Rheological Properties of Highly Concentrated Polymer Bonded Explosive Simulant by Microstructure Analysis

The rheological properties of highly concentrated polymer bonded explosive simulant were studied by using poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) with 30 and 60% vinyl acetate (VA) content as a binder, respectively. Calcium carbonate and Dechlorane, whose physical properties are similar to resarch department explosive (RDX)'s, were used as fillers. The suspensions were mixed in a batch melt mixer and it was possible to fill 75 v% at maximum. From dynamic mechanical analysis, Dechlorane showed higher interaction with binder resins than that with calcium carbonate fillers. The effects of microstructural change on the rheological properties of the suspensions were investigated by a plate-plate rheometer with constant shear rate and constant shear stress modes, respectively. The theoretical maximum packing fraction of EVA31/Dechlorane suspension obtained from Krieger-Dougherty equation was 70 v% and it was thought that 2000 Pa was proper shear stress condition for this melt processing.