PRODUCTION AND COATING OF PURE BORON POWDERS

THIS PROJECT COMBINES TWO INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES. IT PROPOSES A NEW METHOD TO SYNTHESIZE HIGH PURITY BORON POWDER AND ALSO APPLIES ITS PROPRIETARY PROCESS OF COATING BORON WITH MAGNESIUM USING PHYSICAL VAPOR TECHNOLOGY. THE HIGHEST PURITY BORON CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR MILITARY AND AEROSPACE USE COMES FROM A WEST GERMAN SUPPLIER. A DOMESTIC SOURCE FOR THIS POTENTIALLY STRATEGIC FEEDSTOCK WOULD BE IN THE STRATEGIC BEST INTEREST OF THE UNITED STATES. THE USE OF BORON AS A METAL FUEL COMPONENT IN EXPLOSIVES, SOLID ROCKET PROPELLANTS OR SOLID RAMJET COMBUSTION ENGINES IS INHIBITED BY BORON OXIDE FORMED ON ITS SURFACE. A THIN COAT OF REACTIVE MAGNESIUM METAL ON THE BORON PARTICLES SURFACE WILL ASSIST ITS COMBUSTION PARAMETERS. IN UNDERWATER EXPLOSIVES, THE MAGNESIUM WILL ALSO CONTRIBUTE TO THE FORMATION OF THE GAS BUBBLE WHICH PROVIDES SHOCK AND PRESSURE EFFECTS. THE MAGNESIUM COATED BORON WOULD BE ADDED TO OR PARTIALLY REPLACE THE ALUMINUM FUEL. THE COATING OF BORON WITH MAGNESIUM MAY CREATE A MORE EFFICIENT FUEL THAN BORON/MAGNESIUM POWDER ENERGY MIXTURE. THE REACTIVELY, BURNING RATE AND COMBUSTION OF THE BORON POWDER SHOULD BE IMPROVED BY A THIN PROTECTIVE COATING OF METALLIC MAGNESIUM.