Ultra rapid heating by spontaneous mixing reactions in metal-metal multilayer composites

Abstract

The mixing of multilayers of two pure metals or alloys A and B with strong negative heat of mixing ΔHm can result in rapid heat release provided that the mixing time is short compared to the time to dissipate ΔHm in the environment, which is the case for sufficiently thin layers. The mixing reaction sets off the heat release when the composite is heated up to temperatures near or equal to the melting temperature of the metal layer with the lower melting point. Experimental results are given for the mechanisms and for the kinetics of the exothermic reaction. Possible applications of these materials are given.