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Ultra High Surface Area Aluminum Powder for High Energy Explosives

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: N/A
Agency Tracking Number: 36165
Amount: $200,000.00
Phase: Phase II
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 1998
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
10960 N. Stallard Pl
Tucson, AZ 85737
United States
DUNS: N/A
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Dr Richard E. Ellwanger
 (520) 575-8013
Business Contact
Phone: () -
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

A novel, high energy density, aluminum-polymer propellant with ultra-high surface area and the potential for extremely high reaction rates, full utilization of the aluminum material, and an integrated fuel/oxidizer system is proposed. A patented ultra-high speed nanotechnology vacuum process is used to produce the nanolaminate material, which, even in powder form, can have hundreds of very thin aluminum layers, separated by energetic polymer layers, resulting in an energetic system of very high surface area. A similar nanolaminate material without a high energy density polymer component has successfully passed compatibility and safety gates and has been incorporated into HTPB-based formulations and successfully test fired in a small rocket motor. Results to date show that the nanolaminate containing fuel (with 30% less Al) can generate slightly better thrust and chamber pressure with comparable specific impulse, greater fuel grain tensile strength, and no detectable agglomeration versus the aluminum control fuels. A Phase I program is now proposed wherein 3 specific, high energy polymer precursors (bulk propellant compatible, fluorine rich, and strained structure monomers) will be characterized and incorporated into the nanolaminate structure resulting in improved energetics during combustion and superior mechanical properties.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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