Abstract: A fragment for an ordnance item having a blind recess within which are disposed a number of layers or pellets of thermite (Al-Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3) or a thermite-like metal-metal oxide mixture; the density of each layer being successively less than the layer beneath it, proceeding from bottom to top of the blind recess, due to the use of diminishing compacting pressures. The density of the top layer is such that it will ignite due to the heat and shock of explosive projection upon detonation of the ordnance item and produce the following reaction: 2Al + Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 .fwdarw. Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 + 2Fe. Since the burning rate of the layers varies inversely with their density, a substantial portion of the thermite will remain unreacted over a considerable range until the fragment impacts with a target at which time the remaining chemical energy of the thermite will be explosively released.