Ignition and Reaction Analysis of High Loading Nano-Al/Fluoropolymer Energetic Composite Films

Abstract : With the recent implementation of nano sized metal powders into energetic composites such as solid rocket propellants, incorporating metal nanoparticles with high mass loading in the propellant has become an issue. In this work, an electrospray deposition technique was employed to increase particle loading of nano aluminum (n-Al) and demonstrate the potential of the fluoropolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), as an energetic binder. A mass percentage of 50% n-Al in PVDF was determined to have the optimal combustion qualities when ignited in air. The Al/PVDF energetic nanocomposite film morphologies were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Combustion characteristics of the film were analyzed using thermogravimetric analysis/mass spectrometry (TGA/MS) and temperature jump time of flight mass spectrometry (T-jump TOFMS). Ignition temperatures were determined at various pressured in air and argon environments.