Improved flame jet characteristics of Al/NiF₂ thermites via incorporation of combustion-synthesized carbon/silicon nanocomposites

Thermite-driven flame jets enable efficient utilization of chemical energy. Enhancing their performance and stability is essential for achieving reliable and efficient energy delivery. In this work, aluminum/nickel fluoride (Al/NiF₂) thermites were modified by incorporating combustion-synthesized carbon/silicon (C/Si) nanocomposites to enhance flame jet performance and stability. A systematic evaluation was employed to analyze the combustion behavior and jet dynamics. The results show that the addition of C/Si nanocomposites increases the total heat release and improves pressure output, with Al/NiF₂ containing 10 wt% C/Si achieving the highest peak pressure (262.37 kPa, a 30.53% increase relative to Al/NiF₂) among Al/NiF₂ and C/Si-modified Al/NiF₂ formulations while maintaining a moderate pressurization rate. High-speed photographic and thermographic imaging confirmed that C/Si incorporation enhances jet intensity, prolongs flame duration, and significantly improves jet symmetry and stability. This work presents an effective strategy to achieve high-performance and controllable flame jets for directional energy delivery applications.