QUALIFICATION OF MALLEABLE PLASTIC EXPLOSIVE HEXOMAX AND ITS
APPLICATION IN A FLEXIBLE LINEAR SHAPED CHARGE SYSTEM
(1) C. SONGY, M. EL OTHMANI
(2) D. VINCI
(1) EURENCO, 1928 route d'Avignon, CS 90109 Sorgues- 84275 VEDENE, France
c.songy@eurenco.com – Phone : +33633472448
(2) SUPRAMECA SAS, Zone Portuaire Brégaillon, 663 avenue de la 1
ère
armée française,
83500 LA SEYNE SUR MER, France
dominique.vinci@suprameca.com – Phone : +33620832608
ABSTRACT
Based on his know-how on cast-cure compositions, EURENCO developed several years ago a
new generation of malleable plastic explosive blocks, called Hexomax [1]. Since 2014 the product has
further been improved to meet the highest levels of requirements of Armies in term of performances,
safety and malleability, and the French Army qualified Hexomax in 2016.
Thanks to its constant properties on the large range of temperatures recognized by the French
Forces, Hexomax has been recently qualified by the French Army in the system Supraflex, a flexible
linear shaped charge, designed and supplied by SUPRAMECA. Moreover, the preliminary test results,
performed with Hexomax blocks combined with the specifically designed logistical box, demonstrated
that a type VI reaction against the sympathetic reaction is achievable.
This paper presents available results in term of characteristics, performances and vulnerability
of this improved Hexomax in tactical and logistical configurations.
INTRODUCTION
As leader in energetic materials, EURENCO develops and supplies IM solutions, from
IM high explosive (HE) compositions to cast-cure compositions.
Based on its know-how on the cast-cure technology, EURENCO developed 10 years ago a
new plastic explosive, containing RDX and an inert binder, in order to replace the previous
PETN based plastic explosive known as PLASTRITE. Hexomax fulfills the Montreal
Convention requirements. The development strategy was presented in 2012 at IMEMTS
symposium in Las Vegas.
Since then, continuous works have been performed to further improve the material so that it
now meets the highest requirements for military use in hot and cold countries.
Hexomax has been selected and qualified by the French Ministry of Defense to equip the
French Forces. The Ministry of Defense has even extended the range of qualification of the
product: Hexomax is now qualified to be used as the main explosive charge in the flexible
linear shaped system Supraflex which is supplied by the French company SUPRAMECA,
expert in designing and supplying shaped charges and breaching systems.
Latest results obtained with improved Hexomax will be presented in this paper.
First, the properties of this plastic explosive, in term of performances, malleability and
insensitivity will be described, as well as the effect of ageing. Regarding IM tests, preliminary
tests undertaken with Hexomax blocks combined with the specifically designed logistical box
Supracase, designed by SUPRAMECA, to reduce the sympathetic reaction between blocks,
will be especially outlined. Moreover, environment tests performed on the product will be
described. Then, the main performance results of the system Supraflex with Hexomax will be
presented.
[1] A new generation of malleable plastic explosive blocks, B. Mahé, IMEMTS, 2012
