Tuesday publication post! 📖 In this publication, the #FusionAX was used to investigate the combustion behavior in HTPB-based solid fuels. Aluminum nanoparticles that normally are being used in these systems tend to agglomerate at the burning surface, quenching further combustion. The authors combat this by investigating copper-coated aluminum nanoparticles at relevant combustion temperatures.
Key highlights:
🔬 The Fusion AX system enabled the visualization of nanoscale oxidation and shell fracture dynamics in Cu-coated aluminum nanoparticles
🔥 The copper coating promoted nanocracking of the alumina shell, enabling more rapid and complete aluminum oxidation
🚀 nAl@Cu/HTPB fuels achieved sustained continuous regression at particle loadings up to 10 wt% in air counterflow, outperforming neat HTPB
This work established a multiscale understanding of how nanoparticle surface engineering influences oxidation kinetics, fuel regression, and combustion stability. The findings provide valuable insight for the development of next-generation energetic materials and high-performance air-breathing propulsion systems.
Want to read the entire work? Find it here!
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.combustflame.2026.114799
Want to know more about the Fusion AX system?
https://www.protochips.com/solutions/in-situ-tem-solutions/in-situ-heating-and-electrical/
