Nano Tungsten Outperforms Depleted Uranium in Military Applications

Plasma Processes, Inc. (Huntsville, AL) inventors Timothy N. McKechnie, Leo V. M. Antony, Scott O'Dell, Chris Power and Terry Tabor developed an improved plasma method for producing ultra fine and nanometer refractory metal and ceramic nanopowders. When certain precursors are injected into the plasma flame in a reactor chamber, the materials are heated, melted and vaporized and the chemical reaction is induced in the vapor phase. The vapor phase is quenched rapidly to solid phase to yield the ultra pure, ultra fine and nano product. With this technique, powders have been made 20 nanometers in size in a system capable of a bulk production rate of more than 10 lbs/hr. The process is particularly applicable to tungsten, molybdenum, rhenium, tungsten carbide, molybdenum carbide and other related materials. Plasma processing offers a wide range of new and sophisticated operations for the production of these advanced materials. Plasma processing combines various processes, such as heating, melting, quenching, and consolidation of fine particles (metallic or ceramic) in a simplified process. The process is detailed in U.S. Patent 7,615,097.

One major benefit of nanocrystalline and ultra fine bulk tungsten is enhanced dynamic deformation behavior, specifically shear localization. Ultra fine and nanostructured tungsten, when used as a kinetic energy device, offers the opportunity for performance that exceeds depleted uranium. Applications of ultra fine and nano materials include, but are not limited to, superior weapon systems for armor and anti-armor applications, high kinetic energy penetrators in tank ammunitions, armor plating, and scatter grenades, counterweights in tanks, non-eroding rocket nozzles and jet vanes and welding electrodes, crucibles, nuclear power, propulsion components (high-powered electrical, beamed energy, and nuclear), cartridges, X-ray targets and heat pipes.