Metal-Fluorocarbon Based Energetic Materials This exciting new book details all aspects of a major class of pyrolants and elucidates the progress that has been made in the field, covering both the chemistry and applications of these compounds.
Written by a pre-eminent authority on the subject from the NATO Munitions Safety Information Analysis Center (MSIAC), it begins with a historical overview of the development of these materials, followed by a thorough discussion of their ignition, combustion and radiative properties. The next section explores the multiple facets of their military and civilian applications, as well as industrial synthetic techniques. The critical importance of the associated hazards, namely sensitivity, stability and aging, are discussed in detail, and the book is rounded off by an examination of the future of this vital and expanding field.
The result is a complete guide to the chemistry, manufacture, applications and required safety precautions of pyrolants for both the military and chemical industries.
From the preface:
... This book fills a void in the collection of pyrotechnic literature...
it will make an excellent reference book that all researchers of pyrolants and energetics must have...
Dr. Bernard E. Douda, Dr. Sara Pliskin, NAVSEA Crane, IN, USA
Foreword xiii
Preface xv
Acknowledgment xvii
1 Introduction to Pyrolants1
References 3
2 History6
2.1 Organometallic Beginning 6
2.2 Explosive& Obscurant Properties 8
2.3 Rise of Fluorocarbons 10
2.4 Rockets Fired Against Aircraft 13
2.5 Metal/Fluorocarbon Pyrolants 15
References 17
Further Reading 19
3 Properties of Fluorocarbons20
3.1 Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) 20
3.2 Polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) 22
3.3 Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF) 24
3.4 Polycarbon Monofluoride (PMF) 25
3.5 Vinylidene FluorideHexafluoropropene Copolymer 27
3.5.1 LFC-1 28
3.6 Vinylidene FluorideChlorotrifluoroethylene Copolymer 28
3.7 Copolymer of TFE and VDF 30
3.8 Terpolymers of TFE, HFP and VDF 31
3.9 Summary of chemical and physical properties of common fluoropolymers 33
References 33
4 Thermochemical and Physical Properties of Metals and their Fluorides36
References 41
5 Reactivity and Thermochemistry of Selected Metal/Fluorocarbon Systems42
5.1 Lithium 42
5.2 Magnesium 45
5.3 Titanium 47
5.4 Zirconium 52
5.5 Hafnium 53
5.6 Niob 53
5.7 Tantalum 54
5.8 Zinc 55
5.9 Cadmium 56
5.10 Boron 57
5.11 Aluminium 59
5.12 Silicon 63
5.13 Calcium Silicide 64
5.14 Tin 65
References 66
6 Ignition and Combustion Mechanism of MTV68
6.1 Ignition and Pre-Ignition of Metal/Fluorocarbon Pyrolants 68
6.2 MagnesiumGrignard Hypothesis 68
References 77
7 Ignition of MTV80
References 85
8 Combustion87
8.1 Magnesium/Teflon/Viton 87
8.2 Porosity 95
8.3 Burn Rate Description 96
8.4 Combustion of MetalFluorocarbon Pyrolants with Fuels Other than Magnesium 97
8.5 Underwater Combustion 114
References 115
9 Spectroscopy119
9.1 Introduction 119
9.2 UVVIS Spectra 120
9.3 MWIR Spectra 135
9.4 Temperature Determination 141
References 148
10 Infrared Emitters151
10.1 Decoy Flares 151
10.2 Nonexpendable Flares 153
10.3 MetalFluorocarbon Flare Combustion Flames as Sources of Radiation 158
10.4 Infrared Compositions 165
10.5 Operational Effects 184
10.6 Outlook 191
References 193
11 Obscurants197
11.1 Introduction 197
11.2 MetalFluorocarbon Reactions in Aerosol Generation 199
References 208
12 Igniters210
References 214
13 Incendiaries, Agent Defeat, Reactive Fragments and Detonation Phenomena216
13.1 Incendiaries 216
13.2 Curable Fluorocarbon ResinBased Compositions 217
13.3 Document Destruction 218
13.4 Agent Defeat 221
13.5 Reactive Fragments 223
13.6 Shockwave Loading of MetalFluorocarbons and Detonation-Like Phenomena 229
References 232
Further Reading 234
14 Miscellaneous Applications235
14.1 Submerged Applications 235
14.2 Mine-Disposal Torch 238
14.3 Stored Chemical Energy 240
14.4 Tracers 240
14.5 Propellants 241
References 244
15 Self-Propagating High-Temperature Synthesis247
15.1 Introduction 247
15.2 Magnesium 249
15.3 Silicon and Silicides 252
References 256
16 Vapour-Deposited Materials258
References 262
17 Ageing264
References 270
18 Manufacture271
18.1 Introduction 271
18.2 Treatment of Metal Powder 271
18.3 Mixing 273
18.4 Pressing 286
18.5 Cutting 289
18.6 Priming 289
18.7 Miscellaneous 289
18.8 Accidents and Process Safety 290
References 296
19 Sensitivity299
19.1 Introduction 299
19.2 Impact Sensitivity 300
19.3 Friction and Shear Sensitivity 301
19.3.1 Metal/Fluorocarbon 303
19.4 Thermal Sensitivity 304
19.4.1 MTV 304
19.5 ESD Sensitivity 305
19.6 Insensitive Munitions Testing 310
19.7 Hazards Posed by Loose In-Process MTV Crumb and TNT Equivalent 321
References 323
20 Toxic Combustion Products326
20.1 MTV Flare Composition 326
20.2 Obscurant Formulations 330
20.3 Fluorine Compounds 331
References 332
21 Outlook334
References 335
Index 337
