Enhanced flame retardant polymer nanocomposites

Fire is a continuous threat to life and property. The total annual UK fire loss is estimated to be 0.25% of its gross domestic product (GDP) (Goddard, 1995). According to fire statistics, more than 12 million fires break out every year in the United States, Europe, Russia, and China killing about 166,000 people and injuring several hundreds of thousands (Morgan and Wilkie, 2007). Polymers which take up 80% of the organic chemical industry, are known for their high flammability with the production of heat, corrosive toxic gases, and smoke (Bent, 2010). Improving the fire retardancy of polymeric materials is a major concern and also a major challenge. Nanotechnology could have a significant impact on polymeric materials through the achievement of polymer nanocomposites (PNs) with enhanced functional properties (Giannelis, 1996, Schartel and Batholmai, 2006). If this can be achieved, there will be an enormous increase in the use of improved flame retardant (FR) PNs in mass transportation, aerospace, and military applications where fire safety will be of utmost importance (Horrocks and Price, 2008). In this research project nanoparticles that could have a synergistic effect with traditional FR systems, or that could have a FR action (nano-fire extinguishers), were formulated and surface modified during continuous hydrothermal synthesis (CHS). The bespoke nanoparticles were developed in a structure that could be easily integrated and effectively dispersed into a polymeric matrix. A solvent blending approach for integrating and dispersing colloidal organic modified nanoparticles into polymeric matrices was developed. The impact of nanoparticles of different morphologies including nanospheres, nanoplates, and nanorods on epoxy mechanical, thermal, and flammability properties was evaluated. A laboratory based technique using a Bunsen, video footage, and image analysis was developed to quantify the nanocomposite's direct flame resistance in a repeatable fashion. A new self extinguishing epoxy nanocomposite was developed which showed an enhanced performance in extreme conditions and with good mechanical properties

Enhanced flame retardant polymer nanocomposites

Fire is a continuous threat to life and property. The total annual UK fire loss is estimated to be 0.25% of its gross domestic product (GDP) (Goddard, 1995). According to fire statistics, more than 12 million fires break out every year in the United States, Europe, Russia, and China killing about 166,000 people and injuring several hundreds of thousands (Morgan and Wilkie, 2007). Polymers which take up 80% of the organic chemical industry, are known for their high flammability with the production of heat, corrosive toxic gases, and smoke (Bent, 2010). Improving the fire retardancy of polymeric materials is a major concern and also a major challenge. Nanotechnology could have a significant impact on polymeric materials through the achievement of polymer nanocomposites (PNs) with enhanced functional properties (Giannelis, 1996, Schartel and Batholmai, 2006). If this can be achieved, there will be an enormous increase in the use of improved flame retardant (FR) PNs in mass transportation, aerospace, and military applications where fire safety will be of utmost importance (Horrocks and Price, 2008). In this research project nanoparticles that could have a synergistic effect with traditional FR systems, or that could have a FR action (nano-fire extinguishers), were formulated and surface modified during continuous hydrothermal synthesis (CHS). The bespoke nanoparticles were developed in a structure that could be easily integrated and effectively dispersed into a polymeric matrix. A solvent blending approach for integrating and dispersing colloidal organic modified nanoparticles into polymeric matrices was developed. The impact of nanoparticles of different morphologies including nanospheres, nanoplates, and nanorods on epoxy mechanical, thermal, and flammability properties was evaluated. A laboratory based technique using a Bunsen, video footage, and image analysis was developed to quantify the nanocomposite's direct flame resistance in a repeatable fashion. A new self extinguishing epoxy nanocomposite was developed which showed an enhanced performance in extreme conditions and with good mechanical properties

Hemispherical Zirconium Liner for Advanced Shaped Charge with Enhanced Behind Armour Effect

Armour penetration is an essential outcome for shaped charges, especially when the behind-armour effect is considered. Hemispherical liners produce superior jet mass compared with those of traditional conical shape. In this paper two different materials have been studied as hemispherical shaped charge liners. The reference liner was hemispherical oxygen-free high-conductivity copper (OFHC); the other liner material was zirconium. These liners were experimentally tested against 4340 steel targets in shaped charges loaded with the same amount of Composition B explosive. Zirconium liners were found to offer superior performance with experimental penetration and crater diameter respectively 16% and 20% greater than OFHC. Ansys Autodyn hydrocode simulation results demonstrated that both liners produced superior jet masses exceeding 50% of the total liner mass. Moreover, zirconium had a jet tip velocity of 4869 m/s compared with 3886 m/s for OFHC. Additionally, zirconium had a superior average jet collapse to plastic deformation temperature ratio of 0.73 compared with 0.34 for OFHC. This is the first time the relation between the jet temperature during collapse and jet stretching has been reported

Chemical stability, thermal behavior, and shelf life assessment of extruded modified double-base propellants

Double base propellant suffers from lack of chemical stability; this could result in self ignition during storing. Modified double base (MDB) propellant based on stoichiometric binary mixture of oxidizer-metal fuel (Ammonium perchlorate/Aluminum), and energetic nitramines (HMX) offered enhanced thrust as well as combustion characteristics. This study is devoted to evaluate the impact of such energetic additives on thermal behavior, chemical stability, and shelf life. Extruded MDB formulations were manufactured by extrusion process. Artificial aging at 80 °C for 28 days was conducted. Shelf life assessment was performed using Van't Hoff's equation. Quantification of evolved NOx gases with aging time was performed using quantitative stability tests. MDB formulation based on HMX demonstrated extended service life of 16 years compared with (AP/Al)-MDB which demonstrated 9 years. This finding was ascribed to the reactivity of AP with nitroglycerin with the formation of perchloric acid. Thermal behavior of aged MDB, exhibited an increase in heat released with time; this was ascribed to the auto-catalytic thermal degradation during artificial aging. The increase in released heat by 31% was found to be equivalent to evolved NOx gases of 6.2 cm3/5 g and 2.5 cm3/1 g for Bergmann-Junk test, and Vacuum stability test respectively. This manuscript shaded the light on a novel approach to quantify evolved NOx gases to heat released with aging time. MDB based on HMX offered balanced ballistic performance, chemical stability, and service life

Novel yellow colored flame compositions with superior spectral performance

The production of colored flames is the primary purpose of military signaling, projectile tracing, and illuminating devices. Certain elements and compounds when heated to high temperature have the unique property of emitting lines or narrow bands in the visible region (380–780 nm). This study, reports on the development of novel yellow colored flame compositions with enhanced spectral performance in terms of luminous intensity, and color quality to standard Russian yellow tracer. The light intensity and the imprint spectra of developed yellow flares were measured using digital luxmeter and UV–Vis. spectrometer respectively. The main giving of this study is that the light intensity, and color quality of Russian yellow tracer were improved by 287%, and 170% respectively. This was accomplished by means of optimizing the ratio of novel binder to color source using aluminum metal fuel. Aluminum-based formulations were found to maximize the formation of yellow reactive emitting specimens, and to eliminate any interfering incandescent emission resulted from MgO. Quantification of yellow color emitting specimens in the combustion gaseous products was achieved using chemical equilibrium thermodynamic code named ICT (Institute of Chemical Technology in Germany, Virgin 2008); in an attempt to judge the light quality. This improvement in yellow flare performance established the rule that the emission intensity increases as the reaction temperature increases. In the meantime upper limit of temperature was avoided to maximize the color quality

Spectrally adapted red flare tracers with superior spectral performance

The production of bright light, with vivid color, is the primary purpose of signaling, illuminating devices, and fire control purposes. This study, reports on the development of red flame compositions with enhanced performance in terms of luminous intensity, and color quality. The light intensity and the imprint spectra of developed red flame compositions to standard NATO red tracer (R-284 NATO) were measured using digital luxmeter, and UV–Vis. spectrometer. The main giving of this study is that the light intensity of standard NATO red tracer was increased by 72%, the color quality was also improved by 60% (over the red band from 650 to 780 nm). This enhanced spectral performance was achieved by means of deriving the combustion process to maximize the formation of red color emitting species in the combustion flame. Thanks to the optimum ratio of color source to color intensifier using aluminum metal fuel; this approach offered the highest intensity and color quality. Upon combustion, aluminum was found to maximize the formation SrCL (the main reactive red color emitting species) and to minimize the interfering incandescent emission resulted from MgO and SrO. Quantification of active red color emitting species in the combustion flame was conducted using chemical equilibrium thermodynamic code named ICT. The improvement in red flare performance, established the rule that the color intensifier should be in the range from 10 to 15 Wt % of the total composition

Novel Composite Solid Propellant with High Resistance to Thermo-oxidative Degradation Reactions, Extended Shelf Life, and Superior Combustion Characteristics

Hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) pre-polymer is the main constituent that is responsible for conferring high mechanical properties on composite solid propellants. However, HTPB pre-polymer suffers from oxidative degradation reactions that diminish its mechanical properties and shelf life. Composite solid propellant formulations based on an advanced stabilizing agent (anti-oxidant), Flexzone 6-H, with different curing ratios, 0.7 and 1.1, were developed via mixing and casting under vacuum. The developed formulations were subjected to artificial ageing using Vant Hoff,s formula by isothermal heating at 80 °C for up to 35 days. The change in strain with ageing was evaluated using a uni-axial tensile test. The propellant formulation based on a curing ratio of 0.7 demonstrated a high ageing resistance coefficient and an extended service life of up to 15 years, compared with 5 years for higher curing ratio. A propellant grain is considered to be ‘aged out’ at 30% reduction in its maximum strain value. The propellant formulation based on the 0.7 curing ratio exhibited superior thermal stability as it offered a minimum decrease in heat released after ageing using DSC. Additionally, the 0.7 curing ratio formulations exhibited a minimum change in burning rate and pressure exponent with ageing time. It can be concluded that the propellant with 0.7 curing ratio can maintain its mechanical, thermal, and ballistic properties with ageing

Novel approach to quantify the chemical stability and shelf life of modified double-base propellants

Double-base (DB) propellant is vulnerable to auto-catalytic decomposition reactions during storing with the evolution of nitrogen oxides. Modified DB propellant based on energetic nitramines (RDX) can offer enhanced thrust and action time. This study is devoted to evaluate the impact of RDX on chemical stability and shelf life of DB propellant. Extruded modified DB propellant based on RDX was manufactured by solventless extrusion process. Shelf life assessment was performed using an artificial aging at 70 °C up to 120 days and employing Van't Hoff's formula. Quantification of evolved NOx gases and stabilizer depletion with aging time was conducted using Bergmann-Junk test and HPLC respectively. Modified DB formulation based on RDX 20 wt % demonstrated enhanced chemical stability and extended service life up to 46 years compared with reference formulation. This finding was ascribed to the high chemical and thermal stability of RDX as well as its compatibility with DB constituents; no side chemical reactions could take place during storing. This manuscript shaded the light on RDX as effective energetic constituent that offered DB propellants with enhanced performance, good chemical stability, and extended service life. Keywords: Double-base propellant, Chemical stability, Artificial aging, Shelf life assessmen