A Simple Route of Printing Explosive Crystalized Micro-Patterns by Using Direct Ink Writing

Area of Science:

• Energetic Materials Engineering
• Materials Science
• Additive Manufacturing

Background:

• One-step printing of energetic micro-patterns is a growing trend.
• Direct ink writing (DIW) offers precise fabrication capabilities.
• Energetic materials require controlled micro-scale structuring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a DIW approach for producing micro-scale energetic composites.
• To demonstrate the fabrication of crystalized 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX) micro-patterns.
• To explore the influence of substrate treatment on crystal morphology.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a direct ink writing (DIW) method with a cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) matrix ink.
• Formulated an all-liquid ink containing RDX crystals.
• Printed micro-patterns on both pristine and UV-ozone (UVO)-treated silicon wafers.

Main Results:

• Successfully printed crystalized RDX micro-patterns of various sizes and shapes.
• Achieved single RDX crystals on pristine Si wafers.
• Produced micro-patterns with dendrite RDX crystals on UVO-treated Si wafers.

Conclusions:

• The DIW method and all-liquid ink provide a simple route for energetic micro-pattern design and printing.
• This technique is suitable for fabricating energetic components for micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS).
• Substrate surface modification can control the crystalline structure of printed energetic materials.