Measurements of Aluminum Combustion in Energetic Formulations

Aluminum combustion plays an important role in tailoring energy release rates of energetic materials. The intimate mixing between Al and oxidizers from the formulation itself or from the surrounding atmosphere is key to effecting combustion. We infer combustion processes in detonated aluminized energetic formulations PBXIH‐135 and PBXN‐111 in air using time‐resolved spectroscopy. We recorded spectral emissions from Al and AlO emanating from the surface of each sample for up to 100 μs. We observe differences in metal combustion between the oxidizer deficient PBXIH‐135 and the oxygen‐rich PBXN‐111. We will discuss phases of combustion that each formulation exhibits and possible reaction processes.