Enhanced performance of Al/B/Fe₂O₃ composite thermite prepared via electrophoretic deposition technology

In order to improve the overall performance of traditional thermite, Al/B/Fe₂O₃ composite thermites were synthesized using electrophoretic deposition technology. The morphology, structure, composition, thermal reaction properties, reaction process, and reaction activity were investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and simultaneous thermal analyzer (TG-DSC). The results indicate that the components of the prepared Al/B/Fe₂O₃ composites were uniformly distributed and closely interconnected, with the preparation process not altering the composition and structure of the components. Compared with Al/B/Fe₂O₃ thermite prepared by physical mixing and Al/Fe₂O₃ thermite by electrophoretic deposition, the Al/B/Fe₂O₃ thermite prepared by electrophoretic deposition exhibited a lower reaction onset temperature (524.9 ℃), higher heat release (1240.9 J·g⁻¹), and greater reactivity (E_a=168.3 kJ·mol⁻¹). These findings underscore the significant enhancement effect of boron addition and the electrophoretic deposition method on the overall performance of Al/Fe₂O₃ thermite. Analysis of the reaction mechanism reveals that the Al/B/Fe₂O₃ composite thermites underwent a series of complex transformations, including thermite reactions, alloying reaction between Al and B, direct oxidation reactions of Al, B, Fe, and nitriding reaction of B, within the temperature range of thermal analysis from room temperature to 1100 ℃. These results provide crucial support for material innovation, performance optimization, and application expansion of thermites.