Structural reactive materials - a literature survey

Structural materials with reactive properties based on mixtures of metal and fluorine polymers or metal-metal composites appear to be available for the development of a new generation of warheads with increased lethality. The term "structural materials with reactive properties" refers to materials that are both reactive and have the physical and mechanical properties which make these more or less directly applicable for fragments, shell casings, shaped charge liners or as part of a projectile. The combination of high density and large reaction energy of these materials means that the lethality of a fragmenting warhead can be increased significantly and thereby compensating for the desire to be able to use smaller and more compact warheads. However, the energy release is essentially heat and it is likely that a large amount of heat is required in order to initiate aircraft fuel or get explosives in a cruise missile or an artillery rocket to deflagrate or detonate. The report provides a literature review of the development in the area and should be used as guidance for possible future studies. These would primarily be to try to evaluate the utility of this technology in e.g., an air defence application.