This study examines the effect reinforcement fabrics have on the combustion behavior of thin film energetics. Nano-metric aluminum and molybdenum trioxide composites were mixed into a silicon binder and blade cast around a reinforcement fabric to form a flexible free standing film. Plain weave 5 to 6 oz fiberglass, carbon fiber, and armid clothes were studied. In order to understand the effect these cloths have on the combustion and mechanical properties of the thermite film, one film composition was used to generate all samples with the type of cloth being the only variable. All films were cast at a thickness of 2.5mm with constant volume percent solids to ensure mixtures cast consistently. The films were ignited in a non-confined test apparatus and the flame propagation was recorded with a high speed camera. Additional samples were subjected to tensile and puncture testing to characterize the mechanical properties of the film. The results show that the presence of the reinforcement fabrics reduce the flame speed of the films. This is likely caused by the fabric having negligible participation in the reaction, thus acting as a heat sink creating less energy release and slowing the flame speeds. The mechanical properties of these films exhibit behavior that would be expected when comparing the relative strengths of the different reinforcement fabrics.

Effect of reinforcement fabrics on free standing thin film thermite mechanical properties and combustion

249th National Meeting (2015)

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