Molecular-Dynamics Study on the Impact Energy Release Characteristics of Fe–Al Energetic Jets

Abstract

Fe–Al energetic material releases a large amount of energy under impact loading; therefore, it can replace traditional materials and be used in new weapons. This paper introduces the macroscopic experiment and microscopic molecular-dynamics simulation research on the energy release characteristics of Fe–Al energetic jets under impact loading. A macroscopic dynamic energy acquisition test system was established to quantitatively obtain the composition of Fe–Al energetic jet reaction products. A momentum mirror impacting the Fe–Al particle molecular model was established and the microstructure evolution and impact thermodynamic response of Fe–Al particles under impact loading were analyzed. The mechanism of multi-scale shock-induced chemical reaction of Fe–Al energetic jets is discussed. The results show that the difference in velocity between Fe and Al atoms at the shock wave fronts is the cause of the shock-induced reaction; when the impact strength is low, the Al particles are disordered and amorphous, while the Fe particles remain in their original state and only the oxidation reaction of Al and a small amount intermetallic compound reaction occur. With the increase of impact strength, Al particles and Fe particles are completely disordered and amorphized in a high-temperature and high-pressure environment, fully mixed and penetrated. The temperature of the system rises rapidly, due to a violent thermite reaction, and the energy released by the jet shows an increasing trend; there is an impact intensity threshold, so that the jet release energy reaches the upper limit.