Recently, Dr. Jin Jingtai, the Powder / Ceramic Research headquarters of the Korea Institute of materials, has successfully developed the surface treatment technology for extremely fine aluminum powder in Korea. Compared with the existing aluminum powder materials, the reaction activity with oxygen is increased by more than 2 times, and the stability of operation can be ensured.
This technology removes the dense oxide film on the surface of aluminum powder and coats it with thermodynamically stable fluorine-containing organic matter. Compared with the naturally formed oxide film, the organic coating can be easily removed by heating at a lower temperature. As a solid fuel, aluminum powder can have higher oxidation reactivity under the condition of producing high energy, The organic coating can avoid the direct contact between aluminum powder and external oxygen. Compared with aluminum, it is easier to store safely under normal temperature and pressure.
Compared with other materials, when pure aluminum is combined with oxygen, the oxidation reaction rate is low and the heat generated is high. The United States, Russia and other countries use aluminum powder as rocket propellant, gunpowder and welding material, which is widely used in aviation, civil and defense industry. Only when the dense and firm oxide film on the surface is completely removed, the excellent oxidation reactivity and conductivity of aluminum powder can be fully realized, which requires at least 1000 ℃ heat. Moreover, in the process of removing the oxide film, pure aluminum is directly exposed to the atmosphere, which is also very likely to explode. All of these make aluminum powder researchers headache.
In order to solve these problems, the research team of Materials Research Institute tried to easily remove the oxide film formed on the surface, and used fluorine-containing organic compounds, which can improve the stability and reactivity of aluminum powder itself. The organic coating can be removed from the coated aluminum powder at the temperature below 250 ℃. Compared with the aluminum powder in the same size and oxide film, the reaction speed can be increased by at least two times. In addition, using the existing coating technology, it is easy to build related equipment and realize mass production.
In the future, this technology will help to improve the Oxidation Reactivity of aluminum powder, which can be used as solid fuel material for artificial satellite launch rocket and raw material for brazing. Combined with organic bonding and mixing technology, it can be used as various electronic components including photovoltaic cells and high conductivity metal flux materials, which is expected to enhance the added value of aluminum powder and replace imported powder materials.
Jin Jingtai, head of the research team, said that if the technology is commercialized, aluminum powder can create great value in the field of national defense and electronic parts. It will play a huge role in the development of materials and technology in South Korea.