High Blast Explosive

It was developed during World War II as a desensitized modification of Torpex explosives.{{cite web |url=http://64.78.11.86/uxofiles/mulvaney/techdatasheets/MK54depthbomb.pdf |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2013-09-30 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615014543/http://64.78.11.86/uxofiles/mulvaney/techdatasheets/MK54depthbomb.pdf |archivedate=2015-06-15 }} "Ordnance Technical Data Sheet U.S. BOMB, 325-350-LB, DEPTH BOMB, MK 54/MK 54 Mod 1"

It is an aluminized (powdered aluminum) explosive having the same order of sensitivity as Composition B.

Tests indicate that it is about 98% to 100% as powerful as Torpex, that it is definitely less sensitive than Torpex in both laboratory impact and bullet impact, that it is slightly more sensitive in these respects than TNT, and that it is about the same order as Composition B.[http://maritime.org/doc/ordnance/index.htm] "U.S. Explosive Ordnance, OP 1664, 1947"

A difficulty with HBX is that water slowly reacts with aluminium powder and produces hydrogen gas, building up pressure in the case during storage. It was discovered that adding calcium chloride to the mixture will absorb all the moisture and eliminate the gassing.

There are three types of HBX explosives: HBX-1, HBX-3, and H-6. Below is each type's "Grade A" composition based on weight:[http://www.everyspec.com/MIL-SPECS/MIL-SPECS-MIL-E/MIL-E-22267A_5974/] "MIL-E-22267 Rev. A"

• HBX-1

• HBX-3

• H-6

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Category:Explosives

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