Effect of Raw Material Particle Size on Compression Performance and Energy Release Characteristics of Ni/Al Energetic Structural Material

Ni and Al powders with particle size of 5 μm and 45—75 μm (1^#), 0.2 μm and 45—75 μm (2^#), 0.2 μm and 0.5 μm (3^#), respectively, and with molar ratio of 1:1 were mixed, and then Ni/Al energetic structural material samples were prepared by vacuum hot-pressing. The effect of powder particle size on the compression performance and energy release characteristics of the samples was studied. The results show that the three samples all had a Al₃Ni diffusion layer formed at the Ni/Al interface. In 1^# sample, the Ni particles uniformly distributed in the continuous Al matrix, and the compression performance was relatively good. In 2^# sample, the Ni particles agglomerated, and the relative density and compressive strength were the lowest. In 3^# sample, the Ni phase was continuous matrix, and the densification and compressive strength were the highest, but the most Al₃Ni was formed. As the particle size of the powders decreased, the exothermic reaction energy density of the three samples increased, up to 1 147.8 J·g^-1, the reaction activation energy was reduced, and the energy release efficiency was improved. The energy release characteristics of 3^# sample were the best.