Energetic igniters realized by integrating Al/CuO reactive multilayer films with Cr films

This paper deals with the energetic igniters realized by integrating Al/CuO reactive multilayer films (RMFs) with Cr Films, which could be used in micro-ignition system. The as-deposited Al/CuO RMFs has been characterized with varied analytical techniques. Results show that distinct Al/CuO RMFs is sputter deposited in a layered geometry, and the Al/CuO RMFs gives a heat of reaction equal to 2760 J/g. The structure of igniter is similar to a capacitor, which may place an electric field across the igniter and allow the instantaneous large-current to drift through the igniter. Firing characteristics of the igniter were accomplished using constant voltage firing set. The experiment shows that the ignition delay time and total released energy of the igniter discharged in 40 V are 0.7 ms and 482.34 mJ, respectively. In addition, the explosion temperature could keep an approximately constant value of 3500 degrees C for 1.4 ms. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3646489]