High energy blast explosives for confined spaces

Abstract

The invention disclosed herein relates to an explosive capable of enhanced combustion efficiently capable of sustaining a high pressure over a period of time in a confined environment, such as an air tight room or a cave, where oxygen may be in limited supply. An embodiment of the present invention is a metal composite that combines a binder, a nano-sized reactive metal and an oxidizer. The nano-sized reactive metal has an average particle size of approximetaly 20 nano-meters

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U. S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 779,545, filed Feb. 11, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,955,732, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 779,548, filed Feb. 11, 2004, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 326,958 filed on Dec. 23, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,969,434.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] The invention disclosed herein relates to explosive formulations with improved combustion efficiency. More particularly, the explosive formulations of the invention are capable of maintaining a relatively high blast pressure in an oxygen poor environment, such as a tunnel or other confined spaces. BACKGROUND OF TH...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention is about a new type of explosive that uses a metal composite made of a binder, a reactive metal, and an oxidizer. The reactive metal can be nano-sized metal particles, metastable mechanical alloy, or any combination of these. The explosive has enhanced combustion efficiency and can maintain a high pressure for a long time in a confined environment with limited oxygen supply. It also has increased reactivity, thermal output, and lower ignition temperatures. The invention provides a thermobaric explosive formulation with a higher blast energy than other compositions.

Problems solved by technology

This is a phase generally referred to as after burning or late-time impulse which can occur outside of where the detonation occurred, resulting in more widespread damage.

Aluminum has been used as the metal of choice, due to high heat of combustion, cost and availability.

However, combustion efficiency has been an issue, especially in the event that the fuel content (35-60 wt %) is high with respect to the total weight of explosive composition.

Poor combustion efficiency is often observed in many of the thermobaric warhead tests, which causes the severe ineffectiveness of the weapon.

However, the burning of all the metal to completion requires maintaining the hot environment.

Images