Abstract
The integration of nanostructured materials in defense systems is expected to improve their performance in terms of power, safety, and reliability. That is why considerable research effort has been undertaken by major military powers worldwide in this domain. The first important step was to develop the production capacities of organic explosives in the state of fine powders with submicron to nanosized particle size distributions. The Spray Flash Evaporation (SFE) process, which is a unique method for producing such materials, was developed at industrial scale. Explosive nanopowders obtained by this process were subsequently mixed with nanosized pyrotechnic compositions such as nanothermites, to prepare hybrid detonating materials able to replace lead-based primary explosives. Composite propellants can also be prepared by SFE which allows mixing their components in a single step with better homogeneity. The ultimate challenge is to move from powder to object, in order to integrate energetic nanomaterials in operational systems. Although the research in this last domain is still in its infancy, several ways of preparation of objects from nanothermites have been recently reported in scientific literature. The focus will be on two examples studied in our laboratory. The first one is the preparation of nanothermites in the state of solid, porous foams; the second one is the use of nanothermites for coating grains of propulsive powder to change their combustion properties.
Highlights
In the domain of energetic materials, the research has mainly focused for one century and a half on the synthesis of new molecules
Fine explosive powders prepared by Spray Flash Evaporation (SFE) process were mixed with nanothermites to obtain hybrid energetic nanocomposite materials, which were called Nanostructured Thermites and Explosives (NSTEX) (NanoStructured Thermites and Explosives)
The use of nanomaterials in the science of pyrotechnics and explosives will lead to important breakthroughs in this domain
Summary
In the domain of energetic materials, the research has mainly focused for one century and a half on the synthesis of new molecules. The most glaring exception to this trend was the invention of dynamite by Alfred Nobel, who stabilized nitroglycerine into different porous nanomaterials and became the first scientist to have a materials approach of explosives [1]. The era of nanomaterials has open new horizons to the science of explosives and pyrotechnic compositions and is deeply changing the ways to think and to do in this field. The future energetic substances will be Bsmart materials^ with high performances, high safety and reliability of use, and minimized impact on environment.
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