ACTIVATED METAL POWDERS AS POTENTIAL ENERGETIC MATERIALS

The need for advanced energetic materials has grown rapidly in recent years. There is an interest in low cost technologies of higher performance novel energetic materials, in particular synthesis of energetic ingredients for explosive, propellant, and pyrotechnic applications. Some examples of areas of interest include nano-sized energetic metals and activated metal powders. There are many advantages of incorporating activated metal powders, including nano-sized metal powders, into fuels, propellants, and pyrotechnic compositions. Some advantages include shorter ignition delay and burn times and enhanced heat-transfer rates from the surface area. This paper presents some results regarding processing and characterization of activated and nano-sized metal powders.