Development of flexible, free-standing, thin films for additive manufacturing and localized energy generation

Journal Article · Sat Aug 01 00:00:00 EDT 2015 · AIP Advances

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4928570· OSTI ID:1212420

Clark, Billy ^[1]; McCollum, Jena ^[1]; Pantoya, Michelle L. ^[1]; Heaps, Ronald J. ^[2]; Daniels, Michael A. ^[2]

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1. Texas Tech Univ., Lubbock, TX (United States). Mechanical Engineering Dept.
2. Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)

Film energetics are becoming increasingly popular because a variety of technologies are driving a need for localized energy generation in a stable, safe and flexible form. Aluminum (Al) and molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃) composites were mixed into a silicon binder and extruded using a blade casting technique to form flexible free-standing films ideal for localized energy generation. Since this material can be extruded onto a surface it is well suited to additive manufacturing applications. This study examines the influence of 0-35% by mass potassium perchlorate (KClO₄) additive on the combustion behavior of these energetic films. Without KClO₄ the film exhibits thermal instabilities that produce unsteady energy propagation upon reaction. All films were cast at a thickness of 1 mm with constant volume percent solids to ensure consistent rheological properties. The films were ignited and flame propagation was measured. The results show that as the mass percent KClO₄ increased, the flame speed increased and peaked at 0.43 cm/s and 30 wt% KClO₄. Thermochemical equilibrium simulations show that the heat of combustion increases with increasing KClO₄ concentration up to a maximum at 20 wt% when the heat of combustion plateaus, indicating that the increased chemical energy liberated by the additional KClO₄ promotes stable energy propagation. Differential scanning calorimeter and thermogravimetric analysis show that the silicone binder participates as a fuel and reacts with KClO₄ adding energy to the reaction and promoting propagation.

• Research Organization: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: AC07-05ID14517
• OSTI ID: 1212420
• Journal Information: AIP Advances, Vol. 5, Issue 8; ISSN 2158-3226
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics (AIP)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
flames
aluminum
combustion
solvents
composite materials