Tantalum-Tungsten Oxide Thermite Composite Prepared by Sol-Gel Synthesis and Spark Plasma Sintering

Journal Article · Fri Feb 13 04:00:00 EST 2009 · Combustion and Flame

OSTI ID:1020339

Cervantes, O; Kuntz, J; Gash, A; Munir, Z

Energetic composite powders consisting of sol-gel derived nanostructured tungsten oxide were produced with various amounts of micrometer-scale tantalum fuel metal. Such energetic composite powders were ignition tested and results show that the powders are not sensitive to friction, spark and/or impact ignition. Initial consolidation experiments, using the High Pressure Spark Plasma Sintering (HPSPS) technique, on the sol-gel derived nanostructured tungsten oxide produced samples with higher relative density than can be achieved with commercially available tungsten oxide. The sol-gel derived nanostructured tungsten oxide with immobilized tantalum fuel metal (Ta - WO{sub 3}) energetic composite was consolidated to a density of 9.17 g.cm{sup -3} or 93% relative density. In addition those parts were consolidated without significant pre-reaction of the constituents, thus the sample retained its stored chemical energy.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-48
• OSTI ID: 1020339
• Report Number(s): LLNL-JRNL-410842
• Journal Information: Combustion and Flame, Journal Name: Combustion and Flame Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 157; ISSN CBFMAO; ISSN 0010-2180
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
FRICTION
IGNITION
OXIDES
PLASMA
SINTERING
SYNTHESIS
TANTALUM
TUNGSTEN OXIDES