Fast energy release from reactive materials under shock compression

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-8-2021

Abstract

Metal-based reactive nanomaterials (RNMs) can produce two to three times more energy than conventional organic explosives, but the exothermic reactions, which ordinarily require diffusive mixing of separated fuel and oxidizer components, are too slow and do not generate enough gas to produce detonations. Here, we studied shock initiation of 4Al/Bi2O3 and 4Al/BiF3 RNMs produced by arrested reactive milling. Initiated by a 3 km/s impact, which approximates a powerful detonation, fast energy release produced 3200 K temperatures. In the fluoride, a rapid volume increase was also observed. The shock-induced energy release was orders of magnitude faster than when the RNM was heated. Although these RNM powders by themselves likely cannot produce detonations, our results suggest that used as additives in detonating systems, they might significantly boost the energy of chemical explosives.

Identifier

85102354618 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Applied Physics Letters

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0043586

ISSN

00036951

Issue

10

Volume

118

Grant

HDTRA12020001/2004756624

Fund Ref

Defense Threat Reduction Agency

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