Bonded VS non Bonded sabots really has little to do with the sabot itself. It has more to do with the construction of the bullet used in the sabot. Bullets as you know are designed to do certain things when they hit game. Some are bone breakers, some expand and make massive wound channels, etc..

Many muzzleloader shooters had concerns with the way some of these projectiles were designed. A perfect example is the Hornady SST or T/C Shockwave. They are the same bullet. While the Shockwave is known for long range accuracy, some wanted a bullet designed that on bigger game like elk, moose, etc you would get deeper penetration while still getting adequate expansion without fragmentation. So a bonded shockwave was designed. I believe it has a blue tip nose.

In powerbelts there are different grades of powerbelts. Platinum powerbelts I believe you could describe as a somewhat bonded powerbelt. They are made to not fragment. Which is a common complaint on the bullet by some. I have never shot the platinum so I really can not say this is fact. Just what I have read.

The bonding is a process where the outside coating is adhered to the inner part of the bullet by some manner that makes the bullet have less expansion, less fragmentationand deeper penetration.

This is my understanding on this issue.