Investigations on the self propagating reactions of nickel and aluminum multilayered foils

The self-propagating reaction of nickel-aluminum thin film multilayers with a bilayer thickness of similar to 43 nm was investigated using high-speed optical camera and infrared thermometry. The results indicate a two-stage reaction with two different characteristic temperatures. Following ignition, the flame front propagates near the reverse peritectic transformation temperature of Ni2Al3 into NiAl and liquid at 1406 K. The reaction continues with the growth of NiAl until the melting temperature of 1911 K is reached. The reaction mechanism and kinetics are discussed. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.