In Situ Nanocomposite Enhanced Dual Use Energetic Material

Dual-use energetic materials can act as rocket propellant and explosive, thereby achieving more efficient use of available volume while, at the same time, providing crucial kinematic adaptability and the required contribution to lethality. Introducing propulsive capability to an explosive formulation is typically accomplished at the expense of explosive performance (detonation velocity). Innovations in energetic materials and formulations are needed to overcome the performance gap between conventional explosives and dual-use energetics. The objective of the Phase I project is to demonstrate the feasibility of increasing the detonation velocity of dual-use energetics by incorporating nano-aluminum/polymer composites into the energetic formulation. Fast-reacting aluminum composite ingredients will be synthesized and used in dual-use energetic formulations. Small-scale detonation velocity and propellant burning rate characterization will be performed. The characteristics of the novel formulations will be compared to equivalent baselines to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach.