Melt-dispersion mechanism for fast reaction of aluminum particles: Extension for micron scale particles and fluorination

The theoretically predicted relationship for the relative flame rate versus relative particle size based on the melt dispersion mechanism (MDM), which was previously confirmed for oxidation of 40–120nm diameter aluminum particles, is found to be in agreement with experiments for 1–3μm diameter Al particles and fluorination. The main physical parameters for MDM (pressure in molten particle, cavitation threshold, and nanoclusters’ velocity) have been estimated for micron scale particles. The results suggest parameters that could be controlled during particle synthesis that would enable micron scale Al particles to react and achieve the performance of nanoscale Al particles.