Reactive material enhanced munition compositions and projectiles containing same

Abstract

A reactive material that includes at least one of a fuel, an oxidizer, and a class 1.1 explosive and is formulated for use in a reactive material projectile. The reactive material is formulated to provide at least one of an overpressure of greater than approximately 9 pounds per square inch at a radial measurement of 12 inches from a point of impact on a target, a hole greater than approximately 2 square inches at an optimum penetration level in a target, and pressure, damage, and a flame when the reactive material bullet impacts a target. The fuel may be a metal, a fusible metal alloy, an organic fuel, or mixtures thereof. The oxidizer may be an inorganic oxidizer, sulfur, a fluoropolymer, or mixtures thereof. A reactive material projectile having the reactive material disposed therein is also disclosed.

1 . A reactive material, comprising: 
 reactive material components from at least two of the following three component categories: 
 at least one fuel;  
 at least one oxidizer; and  
 at least one class 1.1 explosive;  
   wherein the reactive material is suitable for use in a reactive material bullet, is formulated to provide at least one of an overpressure of greater than approximately 9 pounds per square inch at a radial measurement of 12 inches from a point of impact on a target, a hole greater than approximately 2 square inches at an optimum penetration level in a target, and pressure, damage, and a flame when the reactive material bullet impacts a target, and is present in the reactive material projectile in a sufficient mass to provide at least one of these properties.    
     
     
         2 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fuel is selected from the group consisting of a metal, a fusible metal alloy, an organic fuel, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         3 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of an inorganic oxidizer, sulfur, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         4 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fuel comprises a metal selected from the group consisting of hafnium, tantalum, nickel, zinc, tin, silicon, palladium, bismuth, iron, copper, phosphorous, aluminum, tungsten, zirconium, magnesium, boron, titanium, sulfur, magnalium, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         5 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fuel comprises an organic fuel selected from the group consisting of phenolphthalein, hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)nitrate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         6 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fuel comprises a fusible metal alloy including at least one metal selected from the group consisting of bismuth, lead, tin, cadmium, indium, mercury, antimony, copper, gold, silver, and zinc.  
     
     
         7 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fuel comprises a fusible metal alloy having a constituency of about 57% bismuth, about 26% indium, and about 17% tin.  
     
     
         8 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of ammonium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate, potassium nitrate, strontium nitrate, basic copper nitrate, cupric oxide, iron oxide, bismuth trioxide, tungsten oxides, molybdenum trioxide, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one oxidizer is selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride, a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one class 1.1 explosive is selected from the group consisting of trinitrotoluene, cyclo-1,3,5-trimethylene-2,4,6-trinitramine, cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine, hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane, 4,10-dinitro-2,6,8,12-tetraoxa-4,10-diazatetracyclo-[5.5.0.0 5,9 .0 3,11 ]-dodecane, 1,3,3-trinitroazetine, ammonium dinitramide, 2,4,6-trinitro-1,3,5-benzenetriamine, dinitrotoluene, dinitroanisole, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         11 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one binder selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, epoxies, silicones, glycidyl azide polymers, polyesters, nylons, cellulose acetate butyrate, ethyl cellulose, graphite, (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal), and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         12 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises tungsten, potassium perchlorate, and a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene.  
     
     
         13 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises bismuth, indium, tin, potassium perchlorate, cellulose acetate butyrate, and (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal).  
     
     
         14 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises aluminum, zirconium, and a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene.  
     
     
         15 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises magnesium, cupric oxide, and a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene.  
     
     
         16 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises hafnium and a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride.  
     
     
         17 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises aluminum, boron, and a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene.  
     
     
         18 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises zirconium and polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         19 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises bismuth, indium, tin, and potassium perchlorate.  
     
     
         20 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine, cellulose acetate butyrate, and (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal).  
     
     
         21 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises aluminum, potassium perchlorate, silicon, and a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride.  
     
     
         22 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises bismuth, indium, tin, aluminum, silicon, sulfur, potassium perchlorate, bisazidomethyloxetane, glycidylazide plasticizer, and (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal).  
     
     
         23 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine, cellulose acetate butyrate, (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal), aluminum, potassium perchlorate, silicon, and a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride.  
     
     
         24 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive material comprises zirconium and a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride.  
     
     
         25 . A reactive material projectile, comprising: 
 a case having a reactive material disposed therein, and a tip, wherein the reactive material 
 comprises reactive material components from at least two of the following three component categories: 
 at least one fuel;  
 at least one oxidizer; and  
 at least one class 1.1 explosive,  
 
 wherein the reactive material is formulated to provide at least one of an overpressure of greater than approximately 9 pounds per square inch at a radial measurement of 12 inches from a point of impact on a target, a hole greater than approximately 2 square inches at an optimum penetration level in a target, and pressure, damage, and a flame when the reactive material projectile impacts a target and is present in the reactive material projectile in a sufficient mass to provide at least one of these properties.  
   
     
     
         26 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material is formulated to initiate upon impact with a target.  
     
     
         27 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises at least one fuel selected from the group consisting of a metal, a fusible metal alloy, an organic fuel, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         28 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises at least one oxidizer selected from the group consisting of an inorganic oxidizer, sulfur, a fluoropolymer, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         29 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises at least one fuel selected from the group consisting of hafnium, tantalum, nickel, zinc, tin, silicon, palladium, bismuth, iron, copper, phosphorous, aluminum, tungsten, zirconium, magnesium, boron, titanium, sulfur, magnalium, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         30 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises at least one fuel selected from the group consisting of phenolphthalein, hexa(ammine)cobalt(III)-nitrate, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         31 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises a fusible metal alloy having at least one metal selected from the group consisting of bismuth, lead, tin, cadmium, indium, mercury, antimony, copper, gold, silver, and zinc.  
     
     
         32 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises a fusible metal alloy having a constituency of about 57% bismuth, about 26% indium, and about 17% tin.  
     
     
         33 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises at least one oxidizer selected from the group consisting of ammonium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate, potassium nitrate, strontium nitrate, basic copper nitrate, cupric oxide, iron oxide, bismuth trioxide, tungsten oxides, molybdenum trioxide, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         34 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises at least one oxidizer selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene, a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride, a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         35 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises at least one class 1.1 explosive selected from the group consisting of trinitrotoluene, cyclo-1,3,5-trimethylene-2,4,6-trinitramine, cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine, hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane, 4,10-dinitro-2,6,8,12-tetraoxa-4,10-diazatetracyclo-[5.5.0.0 5,9 .0 3,11 ]-dodecane, 1,3,3-trinitroazetine, ammonium dinitramide, 2,4,6-trinitro-1,3,5-benzenetriamine, dinitrotoluene, and mixtures thereof.  
     
     
         36 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , further comprising at least one binder selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, epoxies, polyesters, nylons, cellulose acetate butyrate, ethyl cellulose, silicone, graphite, and (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl) formal).  
     
     
         37 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises tungsten, potassium perchlorate, and a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene.  
     
     
         38 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises bismuth, indium, tin, potassium perchlorate, cellulose acetate butyrate, and (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal).  
     
     
         39 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises aluminum, zirconium, and a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene.  
     
     
         40 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises magnesium, cupric oxide, and a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene.  
     
     
         41 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises hafnium and a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride.  
     
     
         42 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises aluminum, boron, and a copolymer of vinylidenefluoride-hexafluoropropylene.  
     
     
         43 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises zirconium and polytetrafluoroethylene.  
     
     
         44 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises bismuth, indium, tin, and potassium perchlorate.  
     
     
         45 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine, cellulose acetate butyrate, and (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal).  
     
     
         46 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises aluminum, potassium perchlorate, silicon, and a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride.  
     
     
         47 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises bismuth, indium, tin, aluminum, silicon, sulfur, potassium perchlorate, bisazidomethyloxetane, glycidylazide plasticizer, and (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal).  
     
     
         48 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine, cellulose acetate butyrate, (bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)acetal/bis(2,2-dinitropropyl)formal), aluminum, potassium perchlorate, silicon, and a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride.  
     
     
         49 . The reactive material projectile of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material comprises zirconium and a thermoplastic terpolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinylidene fluoride.  
     
     
         50 . The reactive material of  claim 1 , wherein the reactive material is present in the reactive material projectile at a mass that ranges from approximately 1.74 g to approximately 12.99 g.  
     
     
         51 . The reactive material of  claim 25 , wherein the reactive material is present in the reactive material projectile at a mass that ranges from approximately 1.74 g to approximately 12.99 g.