Investigation on reaction energy, mechanical behavior and impact insensitivity of W–PTFE–Al composites with different W percentage

Reaction energy, mechanical behavior, and impact initiation of three kinds of tungsten (W)–polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)–aluminum (Al) composites are investigated. The reaction energy results show that, the reaction energy of W–PTFE–Al composites in both oxygen and argon decreases with the mass ratio of W increased from 50% to 80%. Quasi-static compression results show that, the increased mass ratio of W has no obvious influence on the strength of W–PTFE–Al composites. However, the critical failure strain presents obviously decreasing tendency with the increased mass ratio of W. Dynamic compression results show that, the strength enhances with the increased W in W–PTFE–Al. The critical failure strain shows no obvious difference when the W content of W–PTFE–Al increases. Under impact condition, the deflagration time of all the three kinds of W–PTFE–Al composites lasts for about 500μs. The insensitivity to impact loading shows an increasing tendency with the increased W mass ratio. During impact compressive deformation, the PTFE matrix is elongated in nano-fibers, thus significantly increases the reaction activity of W–PTFE–Al composites. The nano-fiber structure is necessary for the reaction of W–PTFE–Al composites. The formation of PTFE nano-fibers must undergo severe plastic deformation, which is responsible for the excellent insensitivity of W–PTFE–Al composites. [Display omitted] •The effect of W content on the reaction energy of W–PTFE–Al composites in both oxygen and argon were investigated.•The effect of W content on the quasi-static and dynamic compression properties of W–PTFE–Al composites was studied.•The effect of W mass ratio on the impact insensitivity of W–PTFE–Al composites was studied.