Modifying Aluminum Reactivity with Poly(Carbon Monofluoride) via Mechanical Activation

• Published in: Propellants, explosives, pyrotechnics Vol. 38; no. 3; pp. 321 - 326
• Main Authors: Sippel, Travis. R., Son, Steven F., Groven, Lori J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 01.06.2013; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Aluminum; Combustion; Energetic composites; Enthalpy; Flash ignition; Inclusions; Mechanical activation; Nanostructure; Particulate composites; Poly(carbon monofluoride); Specific surface
• ISSN: 0721-3115; 1521-4087
• DOI: 10.1002/prep.201200202

Modification of the reactivity of micrometer‐sized aluminum through inclusion of low levels of poly(carbon monofluoride) (PMF) using mechanical activation (MA) is reported. Resulting composite particle combustion enthalpy, average particle size, and specific surface area depend on MA intensity, duration, and inclusion level, and range from 18.9 to 28.5 kJ g−1, 23.0 to 67.5 μm, and 5.3 to 34.8 m2 g−1, respectively. Differential scanning calorimetry experiments in O2/Ar indicate that MA reduces the exotherm onset from 555 to 480 °C (70/30 wt‐%). Particles are sensitive to electrostatic discharge stimulus (11.5–47.5 mJ) but not to impact (>213 cm) or friction (>360 N) and some low energy MA particles are ignitable by optical flash. With their altered reactivity and high combustion enthalpy, these nanofeatured, micrometer‐sized particles may have use as replacements for aluminum in energetic applications.