Reaction Propagation in Nanosized Al + CuO Mixtures under Pulsed Initiation
A. Yu. Dolgoborodov1,2, V. G. Kirilenko2, B. D. Yankovsky1, S. Yu. Ananyev1, M. A. Brazhnikov2, M. L. Kuskov2, G. E. Vagliano1
1Joint Institute for High Temperatures, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
2Semenov Federal Research Center of Chemical Physics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
Keywords: nanothermites, combustion, shock wave, spark initiation, laser initiation, specific impulse
Abstract
This article presents an analysis of experimental data on pulsed combustion initiation of Al/CuO nanothermite. An explosive charge, an electric discharge, and a laser diode were used as pulse sources. The process of dispersion of the reaction products in a mixture by a shock wave is examined. Critical parameters (minimum energy and delay) for laser and spark initiation are determined. Specific impulse measurements using nanothermite in a microthruster are presented. Overall, the results demonstrate that high-speed reaction propagation occurs due to the advanced propagation of hot intermediate products in the porous material. The rate of this process largely depends on the pressure gradient and porosity of the initial mixture.
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