Electrostatic discharge of stoichiometric Al-CuO nanocomposite thermites prepared by various means

I. Monk, M. Schoenitz, E. L. Dreizin, J. B. Delisio, G. C. Egan, M. R. Zachariah

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

Abstract

Three nanocomposite powders consisting of stoichiometric mixtures of Al-CuO thermite were prepared as ultrasonically mixed nanopowders (USM), electrosprayed mesoparticles (ES), and by arrested reactive milling (ARM). Powders filling a small cavity in a brass substrate were ignited by a high voltage spark in air, argon, and helium environments. The optical emission produced by combustion was monitored using a multianode photomultiplier tube coupled to a spectrometer. Recorded spectra were used to determine time-resolved temperature traces. Pressures generated by combustion were also recorded and combustion products were collected and analyzed. The shortest burn times were observed in He for all powders. Unlike other materials, ARM powders generated lower pressures in air than in He and Ar. The burn rates of the ES powders were least affected by the gas environment. Powders prepared by USM formed large agglomerates, with sizes exceeding the dimensions of agglomerates in the as-prepared USM powder. These agglomerates did not react completely. Combustion products of the ARM-prepared powders had dimensions similar to those of the original material particles. Combustion products of the ES powders consisted of the finest composite particles; their sizes appeared to be smaller than the sizes of the initial agglomerates observed in the ES powder.

Original languageEnglish (US)
StatePublished - 2016
Event2016 Spring Technical Meeting of the Eastern States Section of the Combustion Institute, ESSCI 2016 - Princeton, United States
Duration: Mar 13 2016Mar 16 2016

Other

Other2016 Spring Technical Meeting of the Eastern States Section of the Combustion Institute, ESSCI 2016
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPrinceton
Period3/13/163/16/16

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering

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