Characterization of a Slurry Process Used to Make a Plastic-Bonded Explosive

The effects of agitation rate, air sweep rate, and reactor temperature in the production of PBX 9501, a plastic-bonded explosive molding powder, were investigated. These variables affected the agglomerate length, the agglomerate shape, and the bulk density of the molding powder, but had very little effect on the properties of pressed pieces made from the molding powder.