Super-Saturated Aluminum*Hydrogen Powder, High Energy Component for Use in Hard-Target Destruction Warheads

Plasma Plus proposes to demonstrate the technology to produce a new high energy Super-Saturated Aluminum Hydrogen Powder (SSAHP) using a Radio-Frequency Plasma (RFP) at atmospheric pressure. Existing explosive and aluminum powder fuel components have an energy content of 2,500 to 7,390 kcal/kg. The proposed research will demonstrate the ability to produce SSAHP with a Specific Calorific Powder (SCP) up to 20,000 kcal/kg. The resulting SSAHP can be used as a high energy component for explosives, volume air charge and a rocket fuel component. The limitations of hydrogen in combination with crystalline aluminum as detailed by quantum theory are overcome by evaporating aluminum powder in an RFP and fixing it in an amorphous state. The molten metal-gas matrix is rapidly cooled fixing the super saturated powder in its measurable state. The final product is passivated using accepted industry practiced before being combined with the other components for a warhead. Tests comparing SSAHP with powdered aluminum (SCP of 7,390 kcal/kg) confirmed a doubling of explosive effect. Optimizing the hydrogen content of SSAHP at or near the theoretical limit will further improve the explosive effect of the compound, up to seven times.