Laser flash analyzer studies on reactive materials for thermal property analysis

Date

2011-05

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Abstract

This study experimentally examined thermal properties of reactive materials that are a composite of fuel and oxidizer particles. Thermal diffusivity and heat capacity were measured using a laser pulse method while thermal conductivity was calculated from these measurements. The effects of fuel particle size, oxidizer, and initial temperature on thermal properties were studied. Three reactive materials were selected: aluminum (Al) with iron (III) oxide (Fe2O3); Al with Teflon (C2F4); and Al with titanium (IV) oxide (TiO2). The experimental measurements were performed using a Laser Flash Analyzer (LFA) then compared with calculations based on weighted averages of each component in the composite. Experimental results were examined and uncertainty levels were estimated to be relatively high: 7.66% for diffusivity, 18.23% for heat capacity, and 22.7% for conductivity. For this reason, the experimental and calculated values do not vary significantly for heat capacity. However, it was determined that the weighted average approach is not appropriate for either thermal diffusivity or conductivity. The Al particle size was varied from nanometer to micron with no observed effect in diffusivity, heat capacity, and conductivity. Elevating the initial temperature of the sample was shown to decrease diffusivity, and increase heat capacity for all formulations. Iron oxide has a significantly higher thermal diffusivity which contributes to higher thermal conductivity. Heat capacity was unaffected by the oxidizer chosen.

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Keywords

Laser flash analyzer, Reactive materials, Thermal properties

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