COMMON NAME – HBX-1
NAME – High Blast Explosive Type 1
TYPE – High explosive mixture
DATE FIRST USED AS AN EXPLOSIVE – 1945
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN – USA
COMPOSITION – 40.4 % RDX (Formulation including nitrocellulose, calcium chloride, and calcium silicate), 37.8% TNT, 17.1% Aluminum, 4.7% D-2 Wax (84% Paraffin wax, 14% Nitrocellulose, 2% Lecithin)
MOLECULAR WEIGHT – 102
DENSITY – 1.75 g per ml
NORMAL STATE – Grainy solid
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE/COLOR – Slate grey
INITIATION – 0.20 g Lead azide, 0.10 g Tetryl
SENSITIVITY – 75% as sensitive to impact as TNT, over 70% detonations from 7.62mm (30 cal) rifle bullet impact
STABILITY – Stable when dry, reacts very slightly with copper, brass, and steel. In the presence of moisture it attacks all metals except aluminum and stainless steel
DETONATION VELOCITY – 7,222 m/s (23,694 fps)
RE FACTOR (BRISANCE) [TNT=1.0] – 1.33
TOXICITY – Toxic if ingested, dangerous level of toxic fumes when detonated
MELTING POINT – 80o to 90o C.(176o to 194o F.)
IGNITION POINT – 480o C.(896o F.) Explodes
SOLUBILITY – Insoluble in water
APPLICATIONS – PRINCIPLE USES – High explosive charge for underwater munitions
High Blast Explosives are a mixture of RDX, TNT, Aluminum, and Composition D2 (Wax). The addition of powdered aluminum greatly increases the blast effect of the explosive, especially underwater. The explosive was developed at the end of World War II as a less shock-sensitive replacement for the Explosive Torpex, which was used in torpedoes and depth bombs. HBX-1 is also loaded into demolition charges intended for underwater use. HBX mixtures are made by melting the TNT in a steam-jacketed kettle and adding water-wet RDX to the molten mixture. Stirring is continued until all of the water has evaporated. The aluminum, D-2 Wax, and calcium chloride are then added to the mix. The HBX mixture then is cooled to a proper pouring temperature and the material cast into munitions.
