Strongly Bonded Heavy Reactive Metal Composites

The Navy has a need for high density composites for advanced warheads. Billets of a heavy metal combined with a reactive metal have shown promise. However, the materials demonstrated to date have been lacking in density and strength. This proposed Phase I program will build on the success MER has had in developing composite penetrators for the Air Force which combine a heavy metal such as Ta or W with a reactive metal such as Zr. The resultant materials have demonstrated a combination of high density, reactivity, and high strength in gun launch and explosive launch testing. Composites will be made in compositions specified by the Navy using a low cost rapid manufacturing process which is in place at MER.