Response of an HMX based explosive to dynamic loading by the Hopkinson split bar technique

The dynamic compression and localized adiabatic shear in samples of an HMX based explosive was studied using the split Hopkinson bar technique. Dynamic compression tests were performed at strain rates of (0.3–2.0) · 10³ s^?1. Fracture of the explosive samples was found to occur at stresses of 60–80 MPa. The behavior of HMX based samples was also studied in localized shear tests at different strain rates (200–2500 s^?1). The initiation of explosive transformations under the dynamic loads is discussed.