Research Summaries

Back Material Characterization and Dynamic Impact Testing of LLNL Cobalt Thermite Payload

Fiscal Year 2014
Division Graduate School of Engineering & Applied Science
Department Physics
Investigator(s) Hooper, Joseph P.
Sponsor Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DoD)
Summary We propose controlled lab-scale testing and materials analysis to assist in determining suitable formulations for the LLNL cobalt thermite payload material. The morphology and microstructure of raw powders and residues from burn testing will be characterized at NPS via electron microscopy, EDX, XRD, BET, and dynamic light scattering. To relate these starting morphologies to the compaction and ignition that occurs in warhead environments, we propose dynamic compaction experiments on our 3” light-gas gun and 20mm compression Hopkinson bar systems. A series of specialized dies will be manufactured to allow high-rate crushing of small quantities of CTP in a controlled lab environment. Crushed powders will be recovered and characterized to assist in choosing a suitable binder or formulation technique for the thermite.
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Data Publications, theses (not shown) and data repositories will be added to the portal record when information is available in FAIRS and brought back to the portal