Dielectric structure pyrotechnic initiator realized by integrating Ti/CuO-based reactive multilayer films

摘要

A dielectric structure pyrotechnic initiator was proposed and the initiator samples were designed and realized by integrating Ti/CuO-based reactive multilayer films on ceramic substrate. The dielectric structure consists of essentially two titanium films separated by a copper oxide (CuO) film, which is just like as a capacitor guaranteeing the initiator will not be discharged until the external voltage has exceeded the breakdown strength of the CuO film. Results of the electrical explosion experiment show that the breakdown strength of 1-μm-thick CuO film is 60 V, and the initiator has "late time discharge" characteristics, which will improve the conversion ratio of the electricity greatly, and there is a nanoscale exothermic reaction in the electrical explosion process. A systematic temperature measurement model based on the "double-line atomic emission spectroscopy of copper element" was presented and used to test the explosion temperature and duration. The ejected explosion flame was seen clearly with a potential temperature exceeding 4500 K for 0.1 ms, 4250 K for 0.35 ms, and 4000 K for 0.5 ms. Besides, electric energy and exothermic reaction create high-temperature products, which discharge to a distance of 1 cm or more. The high temperature and ejected products may be able to ignite the attached energetic materials even if the initiator makes no physical contact. These characteristics of the initiator may open a door to the preparation of the highly efficient and insensitive initiating explosive device.