Detonation in an aluminum-teflon mixture

Detonation in an aluminum-fluoroplastic-4 (Teflon) mixture is studied experimentally. To increase reactivity, the initial mixture is pretreated in a mechanochemical activator. As a result, a mechanically activated composite is obtained in the form of thin aluminum layers in a Teflon matrix. The action of a shock wave on a composite sample initiates the steady detonation regime, in which the initial and final substances are in the condensed state. Depending on the percentage composition and density of the mixture, the detonation velocity varies from 700 to 1300 m/s for the speed of sound below 100 m/s in the initial composition. The steady detonation velocity changes insignificantly when sample pores are filled with helium instead of air. The results prove that it is possible in principle to reach the steady detonation regime in reactive condensed mixtures forming final reaction products in the solid state. (C) 2005 Pleiades Publishing, Inc.