Washington State University

Yogendra M Gupta

Atakan Peker

Ramamurthi Mahalingham

A bulk metallic glass (BMG) material includes at least one high strength reactive alloy having a surface on which one or more surface features are formed. The one or more surface features are configured to at least partially control a fragmentation of the BMG material. The BMG material forms a cavity within which an explosive is configured to reside.

High-strength munitions structure with tailored fragmentation

Munitions structures comprising one or more high strength reactive alloys, in particular reactive bulk metallic glasses, have significant amounts of inherent chemical energy. This energy may be discharged by subjection of the munitions structure to rapid impulsive loading and fragmentation in the presence of oxygen and/or nitrogen. A munitions structure can be configured in both large and small penetrators, e.g. warheads and bullets, with increased lethality. The lethality of these munitions structures is augmented by means of rapidly and simultaneously imparting both mechanical energy (kinetic energy through impact and fragmentation) and chemical energy (blast and/or fireball) to a target. A high-strength reactive alloy can substitute at least in part one or both of explosives and inert structural materials in conventional munitions systems to improve performance and reduce parasitic weight of structural casing.

High strength munitions structures with inherent chemical energy

A process for producing a munitions structure includes combining two or more transition metals including one or more of Zr, Hf, Ti, Ta, or Nb, and one or more other elements as alloying additions. The process further includes heating and fusing together the two or more transition metals and the one or more alloying additions to form a homogenous molten alloy. The homogenous molten alloy is cooled in a metallic mold to form a solid object with a desired shape for the munitions structure.

High-strength munitions structures with inherent chemical energy

Chemically contaminated soil samples are subjected to a shock wave sufficient in amplitude and duration to induce polymerization and/or decomposition of the contaminant chemicals.

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Spokane, WA, United States of America

Yogendra M Gupta