Combustion and Reaction Propagation of Metastable Intermolecular Composites (MIC)

摘要

Metastable Intermolecular Composites represent an exciting new class of energetic materials. These composites, also known as "super-thermites", typically consist of a metal-fuel and metal-oxide with particle sizes in the 30-200 nm range. They have potential for use in a wide range of applications. The mechanisms of combustion and reaction behavior of these materials have not yet been thoroughly examined. In this paper we present the results of experiments used to characterize their behavior. This investigation compares four different nano-aluminum/metal-oxide composites. The metal-oxides used were molybdenum oxide (MoO_3), tungsten oxide (WO_3), copper oxide (CuO) and bismuth oxide (Bi_2O_3). A range of experimental techniques were used to examine the combustion behavior and propagation of reaction in these four MIC systems. Specifically, we investigate the pressure output and propagation velocity using unconfined and confined techniques; the optimization of each composite in terms of pressure output and burn rate; as well as the dominant mode of reaction propagation.