Modelling of Thermal and Energy Systems Research Group

Advanced energetic materials (2016-2018)

This is a project funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. It is partially financed by the European FEDER (RTC-2016-5194-8).

It is being carried out in the framework of a collaboration of the Technical University of Cartagena and the company EXPAL. From the part of the University there are three Research Group participating:

• Electric Engineering and Renewable Energies.

• Manufacturing Process Engineering.

• Modelling of Thermal and Energy Systems.

The objective is to develop new processes and technologies for the manufacturing of new energetic materials with high performances in high dymamic vehicles in civil and military applications. To do so, we focus on the development of:

• Modular charges which will give more flexibility to the launch of high dynamic vehicles.

• New rocket engines obtained by a pressing-extrusion process applied to DB propellants.

• Low vulnerability ammunition which reduces the probability of ignition of regular propellants.

• New surface treatment of propellant grains used in small calibre which provides greater security and relaiability in repeatability.

• A system to generate a better knowledge of the production process in such a way it provides a greater adaptability to the specific needs of the process.

This will contribute, at the same time to the EXPAL strategic objective of improving current technologies to achieve propellants with better properties allowing them to introduce military technology in the development of civil powders. This will have an important impact in military applications and will give the company the opportunity to improve their possition in these very demanding markets.