Recently, there has been significant interest in using established additive manufacturing techniques to produce reactive composites. However, polymer property effects on energetic performance is still not well understood in this context. In this work, we explore melt-processing techniques to produce energetic filaments. This technique requires the use of a thermoplastic to serve as a host matrix for energetic particulate. Polymer matrices of poly(vinylidene fluoride) and poly(methyl methacrylate) were blended multi-scale aluminum fuel and tested for energetic performance. Binder formulations were examined below the solubility limits of PVDF-PMMA blends such that there was no phase separation in the polymer matrix. They key to successful production lies in optimizing fluorine content while increasing composite surface energy. Results show that energetic performance is heavily dependent on thermal stability and decomposition characteristics of the polymer matrix. Thermal analysis (DSC/TGA), burn velocities, reaction products (XRD) and mechanical performance were assessed as a function of composition and geometry.

Balancing surface energy and reactivity in binary polymer blends: Development of 3D-printed energetic composites

255th National Meeting (2018)

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