Research progress in super thermite prepared by arrested reactive milling

Traditional thermite has high enthalpy of reaction, but its slower energy releasing rate and lower energy transforming efficiency restrict its application fields. The appearance of super thermite, i.e. the metastable intermolecular composite (MIC), resolves this problem successfully. Compared with other preparation methods of MIC, the arrested reactive milling (ARM) has many apparent advantages. Current progress in MIC prepared by ARM is reviewed. The kinds of MIC formulation up to now are summarized. The influence of processing parameters and ambient conditions on the structure and properties of MIC is analyzed systematically. The limitations of milling model and combustion model about MIC are pointed out. In addition, the future research direction and focus of MIC prepared by ARM are suggested.