US EPA

5097901 

Technical Report 

Characterizing Ignition, Combustion, and Energy Transfer from Composite Energetic Materials 

Pantoya, ML 

2018 

English 

This project examines surface reactions of aluminum particles with various halogenated oxidizers and ignition and combustion properties affected by these surface reactions. The main goal is to enhance aluminum reactivity through understanding surface exothermic kinetics that facilitate combustion. These surface reactionscatalyze overall reactivity and are triggered by a halogen based oxidizer, such as fluoropolymers, iodine or chlorine species. The objective is to understand the reaction kinetics of halogens with the alumina passivation shell surrounding aluminum particles, then use this understanding to design formulations that show greater reactivity. Our focus is on three areas of research including: (1) developing mechanistic understanding of reaction pathways that promote surface reactions; (2) analyzing and modeling Al combustion for ignition and energy propagation; and, (3) synthesizing and characterizing novel formulations that capitalize on the surface reactions. Specific research questions: (1) How does surface chemistry affect oxidation, chemical energy generation and reaction propagation; (2) What reaction pathways are needed to promote the surface reactions; (3) How can the alumina surface be manipulated to enhance surface reactions; (4) What reaction kinetics accelerate oxidation rates and how can those kinetics be exploited to synthesize new formulations; (5) What controlling mechanisms and modes of energy transport are dominant and how do those mechanisms vary with oxidizer.