Effect of fuel structure on spark sensitivity of 33/67 TiH/sub x/KClO/sub 4/ blends

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:6757491

Healey, J T; Lieberman, M L

The development of safe pyrotechnic blends, possessing the characteristics of low electrostatic discharge sensitivity and ease of ignition by a hot wire, has prompted studies into the TiH/sub x//KClO/sub 4/ pyrotechnic system. Previous work has shown that a marked change in the spark sensitivity of the 33/67 TiH/sub x//KClO/sub 4/ pyrotechnic system occurs at a subhydride stoichiometry of approximately TiH/sub 0/./sub 60/. The investigation was conducted to determine if any relationship exists between the microstructure of the TiH/sub x/ fuel particles and the spark sensitivity of the 33/67 blends. Nine subhydride compositions in the TiH/sub 0/./sub 33/ to TiH/sub 1/./sub 32/ range were investigated. The samples fell into three regions of the Ti-H phase diagram (three in each region). The hypoeutectoid samples displayed wide bands of ..cap alpha..-Ti surrounding eutectoid regions. The samples in the vicinity of the eutectoid showed a characteristic fine lamellar structure, while the hypereutectoid samples showed etching of isolated eutectoid areas with the bulk of the material being the dihydride phase with islands of the lamellar structure present. The results indicate that a relationship exists between the quantity and distribution of the ..cap alpha..-Ti phase in the subhydride particles and spark sensitivity of the TiH/sub x//KClO/sub 4/ (33/67) pyrotechnic blends. In addition, the structure changes may also have provided an explanation of the phenomenon of dancing sparks observed by other investigators.

• Research Organization: Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, N.Mex. (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: EY-76-C-04-0789
• OSTI ID: 6757491
• Report Number(s): SAND-78-0812C; CONF-780706-5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450100* -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense-- Chemical Explosions & Explosives
ALKALI METAL COMPOUNDS
CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC SPARKS
HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDRIDES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
IGNITION
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PERCHLORATES
POTASSIUM COMPOUNDS
POTASSIUM PERCHLORATES
PYROTECHNIC DEVICES
SAFETY
SENSITIVITY
TITANIUM COMPOUNDS
TITANIUM HYDRIDES
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS