Projectiles, reactive compositions for projectiles and articles containing the reactive composition
A projectile including a reactive composition is disclosed. The reactive composition includes at least one fuel comprising a titanium-boron composite, at least one oxidizer, and at least one metal hydride. When the projectile penetrates through a surface of a target having a volume of 0.2 m 3 , the reactive composition is configured to cause, behind the surface of the target, at least one of an overpressure of greater than 36 pounds per square inch (psi) or an incendiary effect duration of greater than 70 milliseconds. The reactive composition may be configured to partially or entirely surround a pin or penetrator. The projectile may lack a pin or penetrator, and the reactive composition is contained within a metal tube or cup configured to travel toward, within, and/or behind a surface of the target, wherein the process produces a punch out from the target, thereby acting as a second projectile, which enhances lethality.
1 . A projectile comprising:
a housing having a cavity;
a vessel disposed within the housing,
a reactive composition disposed within the vessel, the reactive composition comprising:
at least one fuel comprising a titanium-boron composite;
at least one oxidizer; and
at least one metal hydride;
wherein when the projectile penetrates through a surface of a target having a volume of 0.2 m 3 , the reactive composition is configured to cause, behind the surface of the target, at least one of an overpressure of greater than 60 pounds per square inch (psi) or an incendiary effect duration of greater than 70 milliseconds.
2 . The projectile of claim 1 , further comprising one or more high-density metals, such that the reactive composition has a density in a range between 8 g/cm 3 and 10 g/cm 3 .
3 . The projectile of claim 1 , wherein the at least one oxidizer comprises bismuth trioxide, potassium nitrate, copper oxide, or potassium perchlorate.
4 . The projectile of claim 1 , wherein the overpressure is greater than 80 psi.
5 . The projectile of claim 1 , wherein upon impact with the target, the reactive composition is configured to provide a damage property related to at least a portion of the target, the damage property comprising a penetration of the target.
6 . The projectile of claim 1 , wherein the vessel is a metallic tube.
7 . The projectile of claim 6 , wherein the metallic tube comprises hard steel.
8 . The projectile of claim 7 , wherein upon impact with the target, the reactive composition is configured to provide a damage property comprising producing a punch out configured to act as an additional projectile inside the target, thereby enhancing projectile lethality.
9 . The projectile of claim 6 , wherein a portion of a penetrating surface of the projectile extends into the metallic tube.
10 . The projectile of claim 1 , wherein the reactive composition partially or entirely fills an internal volume of the housing.
11 . The projectile of claim 1 , wherein the reactive composition is in the form of one or more of a granule, a powder, a pellet shape, and a tube shape.
12 . The projectile of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fuel is partially coated or entirely encapsulated with a grease or other polymeric material.
13 . The projectile of claim 1 , wherein the at least one metal hydride comprises one or more of titanium hydride, magnesium hydride, and aluminum hydride.