Metal matrix composite energetic structures

• US 7,886,668 B2
• Filed: 06/06/2006
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Hugus, George D., Sheridan, Edward W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bergin; James S
• Application Number:
  US11/447,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20070277914A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,715 Days
• Field of Search: 102/473, 102/476, 102/501, 102/517, 102/519, 102/516, 149/14, 149/15, 149/17, 149/20
• US Class Current: 102/517
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 21/005 By a process involving melting at least part of the ingredients
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 33/00 Compositions containing particulate metal, alloy, boron, silicon, selenium or tellurium with at least one oxygen supplying material which is either a metal oxide or a salt, organic or inorganic, capable of yielding a metal oxide
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 45/00 Compositions or products which are defined by structure or arrangement of component of product explosive charges of particular form or shape F42B1/00, F42B3/00
• CPC Class Codes: C06B 45/04 comprising solid particles dispersed in solid solution or matrix not used for explosives where the matrix consists essentially of nitrated carbohydrates or a low molecular organic explosive
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/20 of high-explosive type F42B12/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F42B 12/76 of the casing

Abstract

A munition includes a structural component formed from a composite material comprising a energetic material dispersed in a metallic binder material. A method is also provided that includes forming a energetic material, combining the energetic material with a metallic binder material to form a mixture, and shaping the mixture to form a composite structural munition component.

Claims

1. A munition comprising:

a structural component formed from a composite material comprising a energetic material dispersed in a metallic binder material,

wherein the energetic material comprises a combination of metal oxide and reducing metal in the form of a thin film having at least one layer formed of the metal oxide and at least one layer formed of the reducing metal.

2. The munition of claim 1, wherein the structural component comprises a warhead casing.

3. The munition of claim 1, wherein the metallic binder has a density of about 1.0 to about 17.0 g/cm³.

4. The munition of claim 3, wherein the metallic binder has a density of at least 7.5 g/cm³.

5. The munition of claim 1, wherein the metallic binder material comprises one or more of bismuth, lead, tin, indium, and alloys thereof.

6. The munition of claim 1;

wherein the energetic material is in the form of particles having a substantially uniform size.

7. The munition of claim 6, wherein the particles are sized such that the particles will pass through a 25-60 size mesh screen.

8. The munition of claim 1, wherein the layers have a thickness of about 10 to about 10000 nm.

9. The munition of claim 1, wherein the composite additionally comprises one or more of:

an organic material, and inorganic material, a metastable intermolecular composite, or a hydride.

10. The munition of claim 1, wherein the composite is reinforced with one or more reinforcements comprising organic or inorganic materials in the form of:

chopped fibers, whiskers, a structural preform, a woven fibrous material, a nonwoven fibrous material, or a dispersed particulate.

11. The munition of claim 10, wherein at least one of the energetic material, the metallic binder material, and the one or more reinforcements are surface treated to promote wetting.

12. The munition of claim 1, wherein the munition comprises a warhead, the warhead comprising a penetrator casing formed at least in part from the composite.