Effect of synthesis technology on storage properties of Al/Fe₂O₃ nano-thermites

The effects of preparation method on the storage properties of Al/Fe₂O₃ nano-thermites were investigated by means of SEM, XRD and DSC. The results indicate that the average particle size of active-alumimun of nano-thermites prepared by ultrasonic blending method decreases 4 nm after 60 d storage, resulting in the loss of heat release of thermite reaction by 13%, then stabilizing; the average particle size of active-alumimun of nano-thermites prepared by mechanical ball milling method decreases 3 nm after 7 d storage, and the average particle size slowly decrease to be 57.8 nm after 120d storage, the decrease of active-alumimun makes heat release lost up to 16%; the average particle size of active-alumimun of nano-thermites prepared by sol-gel method decreases 1 nm after 120d storage, obviously slowing down oxidation of nano-alumimun powder, and the loss of heat release is only 6%, this situation maintains stabilization.