Reactive materials

Abstract

The invention relates to high density reactive materials, preferably materials with a high density and exothermic output There is provided a high density reactive material comprising, A) at least two separate group 4 metals, present in the range of from 40 to 90% wt B) at least one oxidiser or alloying metal, present in the range of from 5 to 55% wt C) a binder present in the range of 1-10% wt. wherein said reagents and optional pressing aids are present in substantially 100% wt.

1 . A high density reactive material composition, comprising:
 A) at least two separate group 4 metals, present in the range of from 40 to 90% wt;   B) at least one oxidiser or alloying element, present in the range of from 5 to 55% wt; and   C) a binder present in the range of 1-10% wt;   wherein said reagents and optional pressing aids are present in substantially 100% wt.   
     
     
         2 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein B) is at least one oxidiser. 
     
     
         3 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one oxidiser is a metal salt. 
     
     
         4 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one oxidiser is present in the range of from 35 to 55%. 
     
     
         5 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the group 4 metals is hafnium. 
     
     
         6 . The composition according to  claim 5 , wherein the hafnium is present in the range of from 15 to 30% wt. 
     
     
         7 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein said binder is a fluoroelastomer binder. 
     
     
         8 . The composition according to  claim 7 , wherein said fluoroelastomer binder is present in the range of from 3 to 7% wt. 
     
     
         9 . The composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least two group 4 metals are encapsulated. 
     
     
         10 . A munition comprising the composition according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         11 . The munition according to  claim 10 , wherein the composition comprises all, substantially all, or part of a projectile, a shell, a casing, a shaped charge liner, one or more preformed fragments, or a mortar. 
     
     
         12 . A high density reactive material composition comprising,
 at least one group 4 metal, present in the range of from 45 to 90% wt.   at least one oxidiser or alloying element, present in the range of from 5 to 55% wt; and   a binder present in the range of 1-10% wt;   wherein said reagents and optional pressing aids are present in substantially 100% wt, and   wherein said composition provides an effective density by weight fraction of greater than 5.40.   
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one oxidiser or alloying element is a metal salt present in the range of from 35 to 55%. 
     
     
         15 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one group 4 metal is hafnium. 
     
     
         16 . The composition according to  claim 15 , wherein the hafnium is present in the range of from 15 to 30% wt. 
     
     
         17 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein said binder is a fluoroelastomer binder present in the range of from 3 to 7% wt. 
     
     
         18 . The composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the at least one group 4 metal is encapsulated. 
     
     
         19 . A munition comprising the composition according to  claim 12 . 
     
     
         20 . The munition according to  claim 19 , wherein the composition comprises all, substantially all, or part of a projectile, a shell, a casing, a shaped charge liner, one or more preformed fragments, or a mortar. 
     
     
         21 . A munition casing, comprising the composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the composition is formed into a plurality of preformed fragments consolidated to form the munition casing.