Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
Results from research aimed towards the understanding of the effect that ultrafine aluminium powder has on the explosive performance of underwater explosives are presented. A series of aluminised explosive compositions using a commercially available nanometric aluminium powder (Alex) have been prepared and quantified underwater. The results have been compared with the corresponding compositions using conventional aluminium powders. An enhancement in explosive properties can be seen. The effect is not universal but can be related to the reaction zone length, and time, of the base explosive being sufficiently long for the oxidation of the aluminium, with its substantial energy release, to take place in or close to the reaction zone.