Development of Structural Explosives for Low Collateral Damage (LCD) Warheads

"Surface Treatment Technologies (ST2) proposes development of innovative structural explosive material systems based upon formation of structural nano-grained reactive alloys formed via electron-beam physical vapor deposition and magnetron sputtering(EB-PVD/MS). EB-PVD/MS has been developed as a method of rapidly forming nano-grained structures with a high degree of functional gradations throughout a structure. These include the ability to form a structural component comprised on repeating layers ofreactive metals. Using the precise control of EB-PVD/MS, ST2 will develop a family of reactive metal systems with varying degrees of thermal reactivity, density, structural properties, and ignition requirements. This new family of structural reactivematerials will expand the customer capabilities to address the wide range of threat targets currently available. Phase I will verify that EB-PVD/MS structures will function in this manner, while Phase II will generate specific shapes/configuration forcustomer demonstration and end-use applications.Specific Phase I activities include: 1) determining the optimum deposition conditions for multi-layered reactive alloy, 2) developing data for thermal reactive capabilities of multi-layered reactive alloy, 3) evaluating shock initiation capabilities of themulti-layered reactive alloy, 4) developing basic structural/mechanical property data for multi-layered reactive alloy, and 5) identify concepts