Constant volume combustion properties of Al/Fe2O3/RDX nanocomposite: the effects of its particle size and chemical constituents

A potential novel lead-free primary explosive:Al/Fe2O3/RDX nanocomposites, were prepared by the ultrasonic mixing method, and their ignition and constant volume combustion properties in the electric detonator were analyzed. Results show the constant volume combustion properties are a function of the specific surface area and proportions of their ingredients. A small amount of Al/Fe2O3 nanothermite could accelerate the constant volume combustion of nanocomposites, and make the ignition delay time and pressure rise time decrease. When nano-Fe2O3 with high specific surface area was used as oxidizer, or both cyclohexane and acetone as the solvent, the ignition and combustion properties show a dramatic improvement. Al/Fe2O3/RDX nanocomposites with faster combustion velocity than RDX and enough detonation output power to explode other explosives could be obtained by adjusting their particle sizes and the amount of their constituents.