Enhancing the ignition, combustion, and propulsion performances of Al/CuO-based energetic materials incorporating with fullerene and carbon black particles

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of incorporating fullerene (C₆₀) and carbon black (CB) particles into Al/CuO-based energetic materials (EMs) to enhance their ignition, combustion, and propulsion performances. EMs require high energy densities and rapid ignition characteristics for use as fuel in small projectiles. The systematic results indicated that the influences of C₆₀ and CB on the combustion performances of the EMs varied depending on their respective ratios. The optimal amounts of C₆₀ and CB enhanced the thermal properties of the Al/CuO-based EMs, increasing the levels of total heat energy release and subsequently accelerating the burn rates. The optimal carbon material (CM) ratio of approximately 1 wt% enhanced the handling safeties, burn rates, and explosion pressures of the Al/CuO-based EMs. CB addition resulted in larger improvements in the ignition and combustion performances than C₆₀ addition owing to the superior thermal conductivity and excellent dispersibility of CB. Furthermore, propulsion studies revealed that the optimal amount of CMs (approximately 1 wt%) improved the propulsion performance of the EMs, indicating the potential of CMs for use as effective control agents in projectile propulsion. However, excessive CM contents (>1 wt%) within the EMs hindered the aluminothermic reaction between Al and CuO, leading to decreases in the combustion performances. This study presents a novel approach for optimizing the combustion performances of EMs using CMs as effective additives, serving as a valuable foundation for the future application of small projectiles and energetic systems.