Wires of varies metals were exploded in a steam atmosphere. The metals investigated were aluminum, magnesium, tantalum, zirconium, and pyrofuze. Exploding wires generated numerous hot, small particles. Using photography, the burning time and particle sizes were measured. Typical results are as follows: 125 +_ 25 micron diameter aluminum burns in 3.8+_ .75 ms; 175 +_35 micron diameter magnesium burns in 3.8 +_ .75 ms; 125 +_ 25 micron diameter zirconium in 25 to 31 ms; 125 +_ 25 micron diameter tantalum in 24 to 50 ms; and 125 +_ 25 micron pyrofuze in 30 to 50 ms. The atmosphere was pure saturated steam at approximately 20 psig.
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