Abstract:
An energetic composite having a plurality of reactive particles each having a reactive multilayer construction formed by successively depositing reactive layers on a rod-shaped substrate having a longitudinal axis, dividing the reactive-layer-deposited rod-shaped substrate into a plurality of substantially uniform longitudinal segments, and removing the rod-shaped substrate from the longitudinal segments, so that the reactive particles have a controlled, substantially uniform, cylindrically curved or otherwise rod-contoured geometry which facilitates handling and improves its packing fraction, while the reactant multilayer construction controls the stability, reactivity and energy density of the energetic composite.
Abstract:
Cubic or metastable cubic refractory metal carbides act as barrier layers to isolate, adhere, and passivate copper in semiconductor fabrication. One or more barrier layers of the metal carbide are deposited in conjunction with copper metallizations to form a multilayer characterized by a cubic crystal structure with a strong (100) texture. Suitable barrier layer materials include refractory transition metal carbides such as vanadium carbide (VC), niobium carbide (NbC), tantalum carbide (TaC), chromium carbide (Cr3C2), tungsten carbide (WC), and molybdenum carbide (MoC).
Abstract:
Applicants have discovered that electrostatic discharge (ESD) may, in some circumstances, result in current densities sufficient to ignite unprotected reactive composite materials. They have further discovered that a reactive composite material (RCM) can be protected from ESD ignition without adversely affecting the desirable properties of the RCM by the application of conducting and/or insulating materials at appropriate locations on the RCM. Thus ESD-protected RCM structures can be designed for such sensitive applications as ignition of propellants, generation of light bursts, and structural materials for equipment that may require controlled self-destruction.
Abstract:
Applicants have discovered new composite materials and have developed a variety of new ways of making reactive composite materials (RCMs) and methods of controlling the properties and characteristics of the materials that are pertinent to numerous new or improved applications. This patent application is directed to new and improved ways of making reactive composite materials using mechanical deformation and making such materials with controlled, predictable characteristics. This application is also directed toward useful applications of the resulting materials.In accordance with the invention, RCMs are fabricated by a series of mechanical deformation steps. In the first deformation step, an assembly of reactive layers and/or particles is plastically deformed to reduce its cross sectional area by one-half or more. This severe initial deformation substantially eliminates the tendency of deformed layers to delaminate and eliminates the necessity of using specially cleaned metal layers. Portions of the deformed sheets are stacked or bent into a new assembly, and the new assembly is then deformed. The steps of assembly and deformation are repeated a sufficient number of times that the resulting materials are only locally layered but have relatively uniform reaction velocity and heat generating characteristics predictable by stochastic models derived herein. The resulting product is a controllable, locally layered reactive composite material (LLRCM) that can be fabricated quickly and is useful in a wide variety of applications.
Abstract:
In accordance with the invention, containers or interfaces having two surfaces 201a and 201b to be joined, and a region to be sealed, are fused by providing between the surfaces 201a and 201b a thin strip or wire of RCM 102 embedded within a fusible material 101, applying pressure 205 and igniting the RCM 102. The released energy from the ignited RCM 102 results in a melting of the fusible material 101 and subsequent bonding of the fusible material 101 upon cooling to the 101 surrounding surfaces 201a and 201b, achieving a hermetic seal there between without the use of a separate gasket component.
Abstract:
A process and apparatus for the reactive multilayer joining of components utilizing a print screen metallization technique to bond difficult-to-wet materials and temperature sensitive materials to produce joined products.
Abstract:
Reactive foils and their uses are provided as localized heat sources useful, for example, in ignition, joining and propulsion. An improved reactive foil is preferably a freestanding multilayered foil structure made up of alternating layers selected from materials that will react with one another in an exothermic and self-propagating reaction. Upon reacting, this foil supplies highly localized heat energy that may be applied, for example, to joining lawyers, or directly to bulk materials that are to be joined. This foil heat-source allows rapid bonding to occur at room temperature in virtually any environment (e.g. air, vacuum, water, etc.). If a joining material is used, the foil reaction will supply enough heat to melt the joining materials, which upon cooling will form a strong bond, joining two or more bulk materials.
Abstract:
Cubic or metastable cubic refractory metal carbides act as barrier layers to isolate, adhere, and passivate copper in semiconductor fabrication. One or more barrier layers of the metal carbide are deposited in conjunction with copper metallizations to form a multilayer characterized by a cubic crystal structure with a strong (100) texture. Suitable barrier layer materials include refractory transition metal carbides such as vanadium carbide (VC), niobium carbide (NbC), tantalum carbide (TaC), chromium carbide (Cr3C2), tungsten carbide (WC), and molybdenum carbide (MoC).
Abstract:
An apparatus and method is disclosed; both of which use electrochemistry to selectively grow and remove hard oxide coatings on metals, and capacitive double layers on non-metals and semiconductors in order to predict and control the rate of surface abrasion during planarization of the surface of such materials.
Abstract:
A method of producing a reactive powder includes providing a bulk structure of reactive material comprising a first reactant and a second reactant, the bulk structure having a preselected average spacing between the first and the second reactants; and mechanically processing the bulk structure of reactive material to produce a plurality of particles from the bulk structure such that each of the plurality of particles comprises the first and second reactants having an average spacing that is substantially equal to the preselected average spacing of the bulk structure of reactive material. The first and second materials of the plurality of particles react with each other in an exothermic reaction upon being exposed to a threshold energy to initiate the exothermic reaction and remain substantially stable without reacting with each other prior to being exposed to the threshold energy.