Composite energetic materials typically consist of a complex mixture of particulates within a viscoelastic polymer matrix. These materials are expected to withstand harsh thermomechanical environments, but the underlying features that yield resilient materials is poorly understood. It is expected that the thermomechanical behavior of these composites at the bulk-scale is controlled by physics that lie at the meso- or particle-scale. These physical mechanisms of interest often serve to concentrate the insulting thermomechanical energy into localized sites that can lead to mechanical failure or thermally induced ignition and reaction.

The aim of this work will be to explore the role of these pressure and strain rate dependent interactions and properties at the particle scale and to determine their ability to control bulk scale mechanical failure and reaction. These mechanisms of interest include but are not limited to thermomechanical interactions, interfacial properties, microstructure features and arrangement, and physicochemical changes. Current mechanical characterization capabilities to facilitate this work include quasi-static load frames, gas gun experiments, split pressure Hopkinson bar, triaxial load frames, acoustic and vibrations testing, thermal mechanical analyzer, and dynamic mechanical analysis. Additional microstructural characterization capabilities include micro-X-ray computed tomography, focused ion-beam and argon-ion beam milling, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy.

key words

Mechanics, Thermomechanics, Polymer Composites, Energetic Materials, Ignition, Microstructure, Strain Rate

Citizenship:  Open to U.S. citizens

Level:  Open to Postdoctoral and Senior applicants