Dynamic response of binders; Teflon, estane™ and Kel-F-800™

It is important to understand the mechanical behavior of polymeric materials that have a range of industrial and defence applications. In particular, several are used as the binder phase in plastic bonded explosives and propellants. Binder materials used in energetics need to be understood first to ensure their long-term, high-temperature stability when cycled during service, and second to ensure that the accidental loading of such materials leaves the explosives crystals within safe to handle. This work presents experimental data on equation-of-state and shock-induced damage evolution of the polymers teflon, estane™ and Kel-F-800™. The tensile (spall) strength at high rate was quantified using real-time laser interferometric techniques on each polymer as a function of impact stress. Measurements were made of the lateral stress under impact using manganin gauges, which, when combined with longitudinal data, allowed investigation of the shear strength of each polymer. An increase of shear strength, determined in this manner, was noted for two polymers and comparisons are drawn with others investigated using the same technique. A discussion of the mechanical response of these polymers is presented.