Journal of Materials Science, Vol.56, No.15, 9171-9182, 2021
3D printing of RDX-based aluminized high explosives with gradient structure, significantly altering the critical dimensions
The vulnerability of weapon and ammunition has been attracting more and more researcher's attention in order to improve their system survival in battlefield and security of production, transport and service management, and to adapt to the harsh battlefield environment. One of potential directions of explosive research and development is to reduce its vulnerability through charging structures. RDX-based high aluminized gradient structures explosives are constructed via direct ink writing. SEM and DSC demonstrated good compatibility of the gradient explosives and no significant gaps at the interface of the filaments, which leads to good thermal stability and suppressed hot spot formation within the gradient explosive. The critical dimension of detonation indicates that the critical size of explosive with gradient structure is greatly increased. This attractive integration of structural and functional advantages achieved by 3D printing gradient structure process offers new insights into the design of robust munitions.