Self-consuming materials
A self-consuming structure is disclosed that is formed from a self-consuming composition based on an epoxy or polyurethane having fuel and/or oxidizer molecularly dispersed and/or as particulates in the epoxy or polyurethane. The composition may be used to form self-consuming structural components.
1. A self-consuming composition, comprising:
a cross-linked, thermosetting polymer selected from the group consisting of an epoxy and a polyurethane;
a fuel; and
an oxidizer;
wherein the fuel and/or oxidizer are molecularly dispersed in the cross-linked, thermosetting polymer; and
wherein in the fuel is triethylborane.
2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the self-consuming composition has a Young's modulus greater than about 10 MPa.
3. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising fuel and/or oxidizer particulates are contained in a matrix of the crosslinked, thermosetting epoxy or polyurethane.
4. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising:
an energetic plasticizer.
5. The composition of claim 4 , wherein the energetic plasticizer comprises dinitrotoluene.
6. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the oxidizer is selected from a group consisting of an alkali metal salt and iodine pentoxide.
7. The composition of claim 6 , wherein the alkali metal salt is selected from the group consisting of potassium chlorate, potassium perchlorate, and ammonium perchlorate.
8. A method of sealing a borehole, comprising:
casting in place or mechanically inserting a self-consuming structure selected from a group including a well bore packer, plug or seal into a well bore;
wherein the self-consuming structure is formed by the composition of claim 1 .
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
igniting the self-consuming composition to substantially remove the structure from the borehole.
10. A self-consuming composition, comprising:
a cross-linked, thermosetting polymer selected from the group consisting of an epoxy and a polyurethane;
a fuel; and
an oxidizer;
wherein the fuel and/or oxidizer are molecularly dispersed in the cross-linked, thermosetting polymer; and
wherein the self-consuming composition has a Young's modulus greater than about 10 MPa; and
wherein in the fuel is triethylborane incorporated via chemical adducts.
11. The composition of claim 10 , further comprising another fuel and/or another oxidizer heterogeneously dispersed in the cross-linked, thermosetting polymer.
12. The composition of claim 10 , further comprising:
an energetic plasticizer.
13. The composition of claim 12 , wherein the energetic plasticizer comprises dinitrotoluene.
14. The composition of claim 10 , wherein the oxidizer is selected from a group consisting of an alkali metal salt and iodine pentoxide.
15. The composition of claim 14 , wherein the oxidizer is an alkali metal salt selected from the group consisting of potassium chlorate, potassium perchlorate, and ammonium perchlorate.
16. A structure, comprising:
a component formed from a self-consuming composition that comprises:
a cross-linked, thermosetting polymer selected from the group consisting of an epoxy and a polyurethane;
a fuel; and
an oxidizer;
wherein the fuel and/or oxidizer are molecularly dispersed in the cross-linked, thermosetting polymer; and
wherein in the fuel is triethylborane incorporated via chemical adducts.
17. The structure of claim 16 , wherein the self-consuming composition has a Young's modulus greater than about 10 MPa.
18. The structure of claim 16 , wherein the self-consuming composition further comprises fuel and/or oxidizer particulates contained in the crosslinked, thermosetting epoxy or polyurethane.
19. The structure of claim 16 , wherein the self-consuming composition further comprising:
an energetic plasticizer.
20. The structure of claim 19 , wherein the energetic plasticizer comprises dinitrotoluene.
21. The structure of claim 16 , wherein the oxidizer is selected from a group consisting of an alkali metal salt and iodine pentoxide.
22. The structure of claim 21 , wherein the alkali metal salt is selected from the group consisting of potassium chlorate, potassium perchlorate, and ammonium perchlorate.
23. The structure of claim 16 , wherein the self-consuming structure is a drilling packer or plug.
24. The structure of claim 16 , wherein the self-consuming structure is a component selected from the group consisting of a UAV structure, an electronic component, a release mechanism, an enclosure, a temporary composite structures, and a potting compound.
25. A method of sealing a borehole, comprising:
casting in place or mechanically inserting a self-consuming structure selected from a group including a well bore packer, plug or seal into a well bore;
wherein the self-consuming structure is formed by the composition of claim 16 .
26. The method of claim 25 , further comprising:
igniting the self-consuming composition to substantially remove the structure from the borehole.