Structural metallic binders for reactive fragmentation weapons
First Claim
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1. A munition comprising:
- a reactive fragment comprising a plurality of discrete structures dispersed in a metallic binder material, andwherein each structure comprises an energetic material, the energetic material including a first material that is a reducing metal or metal hydride and a second material that is a metal oxide.
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Abstract
A munition is described including a reactive fragment having an energetic material dispersed in a metallic binder material. A method is also described including forming a energetic material; combining the energetic material with a metallic binder material to form a mixture; and shaping the mixture to form a reactive fragment. The munition may be in the form of a warhead, and the reactive fragment may be contained within a casing of the warhead.
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Citations
33 Claims
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1. A munition comprising:
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a reactive fragment comprising a plurality of discrete structures dispersed in a metallic binder material, and wherein each structure comprises an energetic material, the energetic material including a first material that is a reducing metal or metal hydride and a second material that is a metal oxide.
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2. The munition of claim 1, wherein the reactive fragment is shaped as a cylinder or with a surface in the shape of a polygon.
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3. The munition of claim 1, wherein the fragment comprises an outer periphery that is at least partially case-hardened or jacketed.
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4. The munition of claim 1, wherein the metallic binder has a density of at least about 7.5 g/cm3.
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5. The munition of claim 1, wherein the metallic binder has a density of about 1.0 to about 17.0 g/cm3.
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6. The munition of claim 1, wherein the metallic binder material comprises one or more of bismuth, lead, tin, indium, and alloys thereof.
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7. The munition of claim 1, wherein the discrete structures are in the form of flakes, powder, or crystals.
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8. The munition of claim 1, wherein at least one of the discrete structures comprises a plurality of layers including at least one layer comprising a reducing metal or metal hydride and at least one adjacent layer comprising a metal oxide.
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9. The munition of claim 8, wherein the layers have a thickness of about 10 to about 10000 nm.
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10. The munition of claim 1, wherein the reactive fragment additionally comprises one or more of:
- an organic material, and inorganic material, a metastable intermolecular composite, or a hydride.
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11. The munition of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of discrete structures and the metallic binder material is surface treated to promote wetting.
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12. The munition of claim 1, wherein the reactive fragment further comprises a reinforcing agent comprising one or more of fibers, filaments, dispersed particulates, and mixtures thereof.
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13. The munition of claim 1, wherein the munition comprises a warhead, the warhead comprising a casing, and wherein the reactive fragment is disposed completely within the casing.
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14. A method comprising:
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forming a energetic material; combining the energetic material with a metallic binder material to form a mixture; and shaping the mixture to form a reactive fragment.
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15. The method of claim 14, wherein shaping the mixture comprises imparting a cylindrical or polygonal or other shape to the fragment.
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16. The method of claim 14, wherein the energetic material comprises a thin film or thin layered structure, the structure comprises at least one layer comprising a reducing metal and at least one layer comprising a metal oxide.
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17. The method of claim 14, wherein forming an energetic material comprises:
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forming a thin layered structure by forming layers of a reducing metal and a metal oxide material a vacuum deposition or mechanical mixing process; and reducing a size of the pieces of thin film to form particles.
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18. The method of claim 16, wherein the layers have a thickness of about 10 to about 10000 nm.
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19. The method of claim 14, wherein the metal oxide material is an oxide of a transition metal element;
- and wherein the reducing metal is aluminum or aluminum-based.
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20. The method of claim 14, further comprising subjecting the fragment to at least one of case-hardening and jacketing.
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21. The method of claim 14, wherein the metallic binder has a density of at least about 7.5 g/cm3.
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22. The method of claim 14, wherein the metallic binder has a density within the range of 1.0 to 17.0 g/cm3.
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23. The munition of claim 14, wherein the metallic binder material comprises one more of bismuth, lead, tin, indium, and alloys thereof.
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24. The method of claim 14, further comprising adding one or more of the following to the mixture:
- an organic material, and inorganic material, a metastable intermolecular composite, or a hydride.
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25. The method of claim 14, further comprising treating the surface of at least one of the energetic material and the metallic binder material in order to promote wetting.
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26. The method of claim 14, further comprising adding one or more of fibers, filaments, dispersed particulates, and mixtures thereof to the metallic binder.
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27. The method of claim 14, further comprising placing the reactive fragment within a casing of a warhead.
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28. The munition of claim 1, further comprising an explosive charge, wherein the munition is configured to allow release of thermal energy into a target from the reactive fragment after release of thermal energy from the explosive charge.
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29. The munition of claim 28, wherein the explosive charge surrounds the reactive fragment.
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30. The munition of claim 13, further comprising a plurality of reactive fragments disposed completely within the casing.
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31. The munition of claim 1, wherein the metallic binder material is an alloy of zinc.
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32. A munition comprising:
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a penetrator casing; and at least one reactive fragment, the reactive fragment being contained entirely within the penetrator casing, the reactive fragment comprising an energetic material dispersed in a metallic binder.
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33. The munition of claim 32, further comprising a plurality of the reactive fragments contained completely within the penetrator casing.
Specification