Reactivity of Ti-B, Cr-S, and Mn-S powder systems during explosively-driven collapse

Metal-metal and metal-sulfur reactive powder mixtures have been previously tested for initiation of reaction via planar, normal-shock loading. In addition to reacting under shock, such powder mixtures may undergo exothermic reaction from other types of mechanical loading. The thick-walled cylinder technique was performed on samples of Ti-B (1:2 molar ratio), Cr-S (1.15:1 molar ratio), and Mn-S (1:1 molar ratio). These experiments were aimed to determine the effect of large shear strains exerted on reactive metal powder mixtures and to establish the relative effectiveness of shear loading in comparison to shock loading for initiating reaction. Recovered samples were analyzed via SEM and XRD to determine the degree of reaction.