Improvement of mechanical properties of TATB-based polymer bonded explosive by surface confinement and interfacial strengthening

Improvement of mechanical properties of 1, 3, 5-triamino-2, 4, 6-trintrobenzene (TATB) based polymer bonded explosives (PBX) is extremely desirable but still a big challenge. In this study, surface confinement and interfacial strengthening strategies were used to enhance the mechanical properties of TATB-based PBX. Firstly, TATB crystals were coated with a polydopamine (PDA) layer. Subsequently, various amounts (0.3, 0.5 and 0.8 wt%) of neutral polymeric bonding agent (NPBA) were grafted onto the PDA layer using 2,4-toluene diisocyanate as a molecular bridge. The results showed that the modified TATB composites-based PBX exhibited improved mechanical strength, as well as creep resistance properties compared to the raw TATB-based PBX. The modified TATB composites-based PBX with 0.5 wt% NPBA grafting content exhibited the highest mechanical strength and creep resistance due to the surface confinement effect of the rigid crosslinked PDA layer and interfacial strengthening effect of the NPBA layer. Present work might provide a promising strategy for synergistically improving the mechanical properties of TATB-based PBX.