Detonation models of fast combustion waves in nanoscale Al-MoO₃ bulk powder media

Abstract

The combustion of nanometric aluminum (Al) powder with an oxidiser such as molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃) is studied analytically. This study focuses on detonation wave models and a Chapman-Jouget detonation model provides reasonable agreement with experimentally-observed wave speeds provided that multiphase equilibrium sound speeds are applied at the downstream edge of the detonation wave. The results indicate that equilibrium sound speeds of multiphase mixtures can play a critical role in determining speeds of fast combustion waves in nanoscale Al-MoO₃ powder mixtures.

Keywords:

• aluminum oxidation
• detonation model
• thermite combustion
• multiphase combustion
• equilibrium sound speed

Acknowledgements

M. Pantoya and B. Dikici acknowledge support from the Army Research Office under contract number W911NF-11-1-0439 and the encouragement and support of Dr. Ralph Anthenien.