Structurally sound reactive materials
US8372224B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 12, 2010 |
| Grant date | Feb 12, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 15, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB22F2999/00
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present inventions provide methods of manufacturing methods for case metallic materials for munitions that have high enthalpic energy release and controlled fragmentation and breakup enabling fragment speeds up to twice what is otherwise possible in explosively driven metal systems, and munitions made by such methods. Embodiments of the invention involve the thixotropic processing of energetic materials such as aluminum together with high density materials such as tantalum or tungsten to achieve material microstructures with a bulk density equivalent to steel, but with the energy release potential of materials such as finely dispersed aluminum powders. Such methods of mixing and blending of high energy and high density materials can provide a microstructure that has large density and shock impedance differences over length scales of 10-100 microns, resulting in enhanced materials fragmentation in the shock or brisant loading regime, incipient melting at the lower melting point constituents, and additional enhancement of fragmentation in the gas-dynamic expansion phase of munitions breakup. Additionally, the present inventions provide a range of surface and near-surface processi…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.