Fragmentation of Structural Energetic Materials: Implications for Performance

ORAL

Abstract

Fragmentation results for structural energetic materials based on intermetallic forming mixtures are reviewed and the implications of the fragment populations are discussed. Cold Sprayed Ni+Al and explosively compacted mixtures of Ni+Al+W and Ni+Al+W+Zr powders were fabricated into ring shaped samples and subjected to fragmentation tests. Ring velocity was monitored and fragments were soft captured in order to study the fragmentation process. It was determined that the fragments produced by these structural energetic materials are much smaller than those typically produced by ductile metals such as steel or aluminum. This has implications for combustion processes that may occur subsequent to the fragmentation process.

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Authors

  • Brady Aydelotte

    Georgia Institute of Technology School of Materials Science and Engineering, 771 Ferst Drive, J. Erskine Love Building, Atlanta, GA 30332-0245 USA, School of Materials Science and Engineering: Georgia Institute of Technology

  • Christopher Braithwaite

    Fracture and Shock Physics, SMF Group, Department of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, J J Thomson, Avenue, Cambridge CB3 0HE, UK, Cambridge University, Fracture and Shock Physics Group: Cavendish Laboratory

  • Naresh Thadhani

    Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering: Georgia Institute of Technology, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, Georgia Institute of Technology, Material Science and Engineering