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Title: Insensitive high-energy energetic structural material of tungsten-polytetrafluoroethylene-aluminum composites

Journal Article · · AIP Advances
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4936557· OSTI ID:22492188
; ;  [1];  [1]
  1. School of Material Science and Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, No.5 yard, Zhong Guan Cun South Street, Beijing, 100081 (China)

Energetic structural material is a kind of materials that are inert under normal conditions but could produce exothermic chemical reaction when subjected to impact. This report shows a kind of energetic structural material of tungsten (W)-polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)-aluminum (Al) with density of 4.12 g/cm{sup 3}, excellent ductility and dynamic compressive strength of 96 MPa. Moreover, 50W-35PTFE-15Al (wt%) can exhibit a high reaction energy value of more than 2 times of TNT per unit mass and 5 times of TNT per unit volume, respectively, but with excellent insensitivity compared with traditional explosives. Under thermal conditions, the W-PTFE-Al composite can keep stable at 773 K. Under impact loading, when the strain rate up to ∼4820 s{sup −1} coupled with the absorbed energy per unit volume of 120 J/cm{sup 3}, deflagration occurs and combustion lasts for 500 μs. During impact compressive deformation, the PTFE matrix is elongated into nano-fibers, thus significantly increases the reaction activity of W-PTFE-Al composites. The nano-fiber structure is necessary for the reaction of W-PTFE-Al composites. The formation of PTFE nano-fibers must undergo severe plastic deformation, and therefore the W-PTFE-Al composites exhibit excellent insensitivity and safety. Furthermore, the reaction mechanisms of W-PTFE-Al composites in argon and in air are revealed.

OSTI ID:
22492188
Journal Information:
AIP Advances, Vol. 5, Issue 11; Other Information: (c) 2015 Author(s); Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 2158-3226
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English