Novel Hybrid Structural Reactive Composites

ABSTRACT: MATSYS proposes to develop novel hybrid compositions and processing techniques for structural reactive composites for performance enhancement of Air Force munitions. This effort will combine our unique expertise in instrumented-Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP) with new approaches in reactive materials design to develop a new generation of highly reactive materials. The proposed material system will use a blend of elemental or compound powders capable of an energetic (exothermic) chemical reaction. The existence of different powders allows for tailoring of the mechanical and reactive properties of the material through engineered variations of the volume fraction of each powder to control the type of reaction and the form of energy release as well as the mechanical properties. During the Phase I project, we demonstrated the feasibility of our concept and designed new and highly reactive powder blends that showed a 10-times increase in blast performance over inert material (steel) and 75% improvement in blast performance over existing reactive materials. In Phase II, we plan to optimize these formulations and their processing, and develop net-shape forming technology for munitions applications of interest to the Air Force. Upon successful demonstration, this powder-based process can be easily scaled for cost-effective, high-volume production of structural reactive composites. BENEFIT: The proposed program will have dual use commercialization with military as well as commercial applications. The material can be transitioned into several military hardware programs for weapon development in urban terrain (MOUT) and other low collateral damage scenarios. Commercial applications include potential use in petroleum exploration and oil well stimulation, and law enforcement applications.