Design and analysis of nano-composite thermites

N. Q. Nguyen, M. Muriuki, K. Pochiraju

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Thermites are metal (fuel) and metal oxide (oxidizer) compositions that produce an exothermic reaction when ignited. They can be used as propellants and for other heat production applications in manufacturing processes like brazing. Mixing the metal and metal-oxide constituents at the nanoscale results in a class of composites termed as Metastable Intermolecular Composites (MIC), which have the potential for tailored energy production characteristics. Nanothermites have high energy density, fast burn rates, small volume and lightweight. Their performance depends on the materials, stochiometry and molecular structure of the reactants and most importantly, the intimacy of contact between the fuel and oxide constituents. Tailoring constituents and microstructures leads to a wide variation in properties and makes these nanoenergetic materials of great interest. In this effort, Al fuel combined with five common oxidizers is studied for several structures and synthesis methods. It is found out that the contact can significantly increase in the system with small fuel-large oxidizer compared to the large fuel-small oxidizer composite under the same stochiometry. The study can be used for fabrication of composite structures at MEMS power devices, energy generation modules for remote sensor systems.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication25th Technical Conference of the American Society for Composites and 14th US-Japan Conference on Composite Materials 2010
Pages1699-1710
Number of pages12
StatePublished - 2010
Event25th Technical Conference of the American Society for Composites and 14th US-Japan Conference on Composite Materials 2010 - Dayton, OH, United States
Duration: 20 Sep 201022 Sep 2010

Publication series

Name25th Technical Conference of the American Society for Composites and 14th US-Japan Conference on Composite Materials 2010
Volume2

Conference

Conference25th Technical Conference of the American Society for Composites and 14th US-Japan Conference on Composite Materials 2010
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityDayton, OH
Period20/09/1022/09/10

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