Production and Characterization of Ni-A1 Reactive Composites by Cold Spray Deposition
Abstract
Metal-based reactive composites have significant potential for use as structural energetic materials and advanced blast materials. Unfortunately, adoption of these materials for energetics applications has been limited by the elevated ignition temperature and high impact energies required to initiate the combustion reaction. To address this challenge, the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology will investigate the use of cold spray technology to deposit nanolaminate-based nickel-aluminum powder particles to produce dense, energetic composite structures with good mechanical properties and increased reaction sensitivity. Through this project we will establish the relationship between cold spray processing, the resulting composite microstructure, and both the reaction kinetics and reaction mechanisms of nanolaminate-based nickel-aluminum composites. Nanolaminate nickel-aluminum powders will be processed using a two-step high energy ball milling procedure. Energetic composites will be produced using cold spray technology. The microstructure and phase composition of the composites will be characterized using advanced materials characterization tools and the energetic behavior will be evaluated using both thermal (heat source) and mechanical (impact) reaction initiation. If successful, the project will establish a new method for additively manufacturing highly sensitive, structural energetic materials for use in a variety of critical defense applications.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 31, 2025
- Source ID
- N001742010021
Entities
People
- Grant Crawford
Organizations
- South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
- United States Navy