The impact of various metals on the performance of TNT

Abstract In blast applications, investigations involving energetic materials and various reactive metals are conducted. Some examples of such metals include copper, aluminum, and magnesium aluminum composite (magnalium). On the other hand, aluminum’s cheap price, good dependability, and very high heat of combustion make it the most widely used gasoline additive. In this study, lab-scale formulations of metalized high explosives were made using TNT and various metallic fuels (Cu, Mg-Al, and Al). Then, using DSC and performance parameters measured by ballistic mortar, the researchers evaluated the explosives’ workability and destructive effect, as well as the impact of the metal fuels on TNT’s thermal behavior (Brisance by Kast). Results showed that the melting point of TNT shifted to lower temperatures due to the various metallic fuels (Cu, Al, Mg-Al). The Al with TNT sample also had the greatest brightness of the ones we looked at.