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Preparation and Characterization of Aqueous Nanothermite Inks for Direct Deposition on SCB Initiators
Author(s) -
Nellums R. Ross,
Son Steven F.,
Groven Lori J.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
propellants, explosives, pyrotechnics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.56
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1521-4087
pISSN - 0721-3115
DOI - 10.1002/prep.201400013
Subject(s) - mixing (physics) , deposition (geology) , materials science , characterization (materials science) , chemical engineering , aqueous solution , solvent , nanotechnology , chemistry , organic chemistry , paleontology , physics , quantum mechanics , sediment , engineering , biology
Abstract Nanothermites are a promising replacement energetic for many devices but their use has been limited by high sensitivity during processing, hazardous processing solvents, and time consuming deposition. Incorporating processing and deposition into a single step, especially if no organic solvents were used, could allow nanothermites to be applied safely in a wider range of applications. This work reports on the performance and characterization of direct‐deposited water processed nanothermite inks on semiconductor bridge (SCB) initiators. Specifically, it investigates the replacement of nanothermites processed by resonant mixing (Resodyn LabRAM) in the solvent N , N ‐dimethylformamide (DMF) with nanothermites processed in water. Processing safety and mixture performance were then characterized. It was found that water processed nanothermites were stable for up to 480 min in a water bath at 50 °C only if both metal and metal oxide particles were coated with palmitic acid. In addition, water processed nanothermites were found to have better mixing intimacy, which resulted in better performance than nanothermite processed in DMF. Direct deposition of water processed nanothermites also mitigates electrostatic discharge (ESD) sensitivity, while the material remains wetted, improving processing safety dramatically. For the system investigated, it was found that processing at a solids loading of 30 vol.% resulted in a high density, high performance ink that was deposited directly onto the SCBs. This resulted in a 25 % reduction in the all fire threshold over traditional energetics. This mixing approach uses an environmentally friendly mixing medium, can result in a higher density final material, and allows safe one‐step mixing and deposition.