Spx-a Booster Explosive Which Can Be Initiated by Sources of Small Dimensions

摘要

An RDX-base explosive (SPX) was developed that satisfies Navy requirements for a booster (no more sensitive than tetryl) and can be initiated by explosive charges of very small dimensions. SPX is finely divided RDX (mean particle size, 10 mu) coated with 1.5% calcium stearate. The Spooner small-scale gap test (SSSGT) showed SPX to have nearly the sensitivity of CH-6 and significantly less sensitivity than tetryl. SPX can usually be initiated by MDF loaded with 1 grain/ft PETN and is reliably initiated by 5 grains/ft MDF. In contrast, CH-6 cannot be initiated by 10 grains/ft MDF. (Author)