Flexible energetic materials and related methods
Energetic compositions and methods of forming components from the compositions are provided. In one embodiment, a composition includes aluminum, molybdenum trioxide, potassium perchlorate, and a binder. In one embodiment, the binder may include a silicone material. The materials may be mixed with a solvent, such as xylene, de-aired, shaped and cured to provide a self-supporting structure. In one embodiment, one or more reinforcement members may be added to provide additional strength to the structure. For example, a weave or mat of carbon fiber material may be added to the mixture prior to curing. In one embodiment, blade casting techniques may be used to form a structure. In another embodiment, a structure may be formed using 3-dimensional printing techniques.
1. A material composition comprising:
aluminum (Al) in an amount of approximately 15 to 20% by weight (wt %);
molybdenum trioxide (MoO 3 ) present in an amount of approximately 32 to 41% by wt %;
potassium perchlorate (KClO 4 ) present in an amount of approximately 9 to 10% by wt %; and
a binder.
2. The material composition of claim 1 , wherein the binder comprises silicone.
3. The material composition of claim 2 , further comprising a solvent.
4. The material composition of claim 3 , wherein the solvent comprises xylene.
5. The material composition of claim 4 , wherein silicone is present in an amount of approximately 25 to 28 wt %, and xylene is present in an amount of approximately 9 to 10 wt %.
6. The material composition of claim 4 , wherein aluminum is present in amount of approximately 15.2 wt %, KClO 4 is present in an amount of approximately 9.3 wt %, MoO 3 is present in amount of approximately 40.6 wt %, silicone is present in amount of approximately 25.6 wt %, and xylene is present in amount of approximately 9.3 wt %.
7. The material composition of claim 6 , wherein silicone is present in amount of approximately 25.6 wt % and xylene is present in amount of approximately 9.3 wt %.
8. The material composition of claim 4 , wherein aluminum is present in amount of approximately 19.4 wt %, KClO 4 is present in an amount of approximately 10 wt %, and MoO 3 is present in an amount of approximately 32.6 wt %.
9. The material composition of claim 2 , wherein the Al and the MoO3 are present in powder form.
10. The material composition of claim 9 , wherein the Al powder exhibits an average size of approximately 0.08 microns.
11. The material composition of claim 10 , wherein the MoO3 powder exhibits an average size of approximately 14.0 microns.
12. The material composition of claim 1 , further comprising a solvent, wherein the composition contains approximately 55% solids concentration by volume.
13. The material composition of claim 8 , wherein silicon is present in an amount of approximately 28 wt % and xylene is present in amount of approximately 10 wt %.