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Thermal and electrostatic initiation of TiH/sub x/ based pyrotechnics

Conference ·
OSTI ID:5416337

The thermal and electrostatic initiations of TiH/sub x/ based pyrotechnics have been investigated to determne the material properties which influence these processes. Controlled electrostatic sensitivity experiments showed that the initiation reaction for TiH/sub x/KC10/sub 4/ pyrotechnic involved a reaction of the fuel with oxygen gas an that the KC10/sub 4/ chemically interacts with the titanium to desensitize the material to electrostatic ignition. Other factors which influence the initiation process were also identified. As a result to these experiments, a new theory for the electrostatic initiation of TiH/sub x/ based pyrotechnics has emerged which relates the sensitivity to ignition to the chemistry of the titanium oxides which coat the metal particles. Thermal ignition of the TiH/sub x/KC10/sub 4/ was whown to be controlled by chemical processes associated with the titanium fuel. DTA experiments were correlated with Auger spectroscopic measurements to demonstrate the role of the dissolution of the oxide coating in the thermal ignition of titanium.

Research Organization:
Mound Facility, Miamisburg, OH (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00053
OSTI ID:
5416337
Report Number(s):
MLM-2710(OP); CONF-800713-8
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English