Intermediate scale gap test of MCX-6002

The main explosive filling in munitions must have properties that fulfill the IM-requirements in STANAG 4439. An important property for several of the IM threats is the shock sensitivity of the explosive filling. With that background, a Chemring composition MCX-6002 containing NTO/TNT/RDX (51/34/15) have been tested for shock sensitivity in Intermediate Scale Gap Test according to STANAG 4488 Ed 2. MCX-6002 is a melt-cast composition. The density difference between melted and solid material is significant, resulting in challenges to obtain high quality of the fillings. Tested gap test tubes had an average filling density of 95.7 + 1.5 % of theoretical maximum density. X-ray of the tubes showed good filling homogeneity in the bottom of the tube. The areas of low density, containing pores and voids, were concentrated in the upper part of the tubes. During testing all tubes were therefore initiated from the bottom. The obtained result of 40.5 kbar indicates that MCX-6002 has low shock sensitivity, and is a promising candidate as main filling for munitions to achieve the IM requirements.