Effects of typical MH2 (M= Ti, Mg, Zr) on the detonation energy release characteristics of composite charge containing Al/PTFE reactive materials and RDX

To explore the effects of three typical metal hydride powders (TiH2, MgH2, ZrH2) on the detonation energy release characteristics of composite charge containing Al/PTFE reactive materials and RDX, a variety of composite charges containing Al/PTFE/MH2 ternary active materials and RDX were prepared. The effects of metal hydrides on detonation parameters of composite charges were studied by air blast experiments and the temperature distributions of explosion fireball were mapped using colorimetric thermometry technique. The experimental results indicated that the addition of metal hydrides had significantly positive effects on afterburning effect and detonation performance of composite charges, and the enhancement effect of MgH2 was superior to that of TiH2 and ZrH2. The fireball duration, maximum average temperature and shock wave parameters of the composite charges in air blast experiments all changed with the order of Al/PTFE/MgH2+RDX > Al/PTFE/TiH2+RDX > Al/PTFE/ZrH2+RDX > Al/PTFE + RDX. The results could offer theoretical references for the formulation design of high-power explosives. •Novel composite charge of Al/PTFE and RDX containing metal hydrides was prepared.•Effects of metal hydrides on composite charge detonation performance were studied.•Temperature distribution of composite charge was mapped with two-color pyrometer.•Flame structures and propagation characteristics of explosion fireballs were studied.