Nickel improving the combustion of boron powder

Abstract

Boron (B) powder has a very high energy density and is often used as an additive to solid propellants. However, its high melting point and the presence of oxide film on its surface make it more difficult to ignition and incomplete combustion. This problem can be effectively improved by the addition of other metal particles. Therefore, nickel-modified boron-based complexes (B/Ni) were prepared by adding nickel (Ni) nanoparticles to the B powder. The effect of different Ni contents on the ignition and combustion of B powder was investigated. The appropriate addition amount of Ni nanoparticles to B powder can significantly decrease the onset oxidation temperature, and effectively increase the exothermic heat, but it has little effect on the maximum combustion intensity of B powder. The addition of Ni nanoparticles changes the reaction path of B and promotes its oxidation. These results may provide a reference for the application of Ni nanoparticles in boron-based solid propellants.