TF-Al/TiC highly reactive composite particle for application potential in solid propellants

Abstract Aluminum (Al) powder is widely used in solid propellants to improve specific impulse. But the dense alumina (Al2O3) on the surface of Al will reduce reactivity and heat release of Al. The phenomenon that Al2O3 and titanium carbide (TiC) react to generate gas and form pores has been found. Combined this phenomenon, thick flake Al/TiC (TF-Al/TiC) highly reactive composite particle was designed, which has the structure of TiC embedded in the TF-Al. Then TF-Al/3%TiC, TF-Al/4%TiC, TF-Al/5%TiC and TF-Al/6%TiC were successfully prepared by two-step ball milling. Samples were characterized by SEM and TG-DSC. The results indicated that TF-Al/TiC highly reactive composite particle was a finely dispersed powder sample and their DSC curves had exothermic peak before 1000 ℃. And when the TiC content was less than 5%, as the content of TiC added increases, the heat release increased. And TF-Al/5%TiC had the highest heat release (21419 J/g). Furthermore, the reaction process of TF-Al/5%TiC was studied by SEM, EDS, XRD, XPS and TG-MS. Characterization results shown that Al2O3 on the surface of TF-Al was decomposed by TiC in situ before 633 ℃, and the pores generated by the gaseous products would further increase the contact area between inside active Al and oxidant. So the reactivity and heat release of TF-Al/5%TiC had been improved. Those results indicated that TF-Al/TiC highly reactive composite particle has a promising application in solid propellants.