Purdue Researchers Are Using 3D Printing to Advance Energetic Materials Research

At the Purdue Energetics Research Center, researchers are exploring new ways of improving the performance of energetic materials using 3D printing. These materials, capable of releasing significant energy during reactions, include explosives, propellants and pyrotechnic devices. They also have applications in sectors such as defense and aerospace.

Led by Diane Collard, a researcher at the Purdue Energetics Research Center, the work aims to make energetic materials safer, more efficient and tailored to specific needs. Customization is essential, as characteristics such as blast power, sensitivity, burning rate or energy release vary according to context and application. How could 3D printing improve these materials?

Customizing Energetic Materials with 3D Printing

Diane Collard is leading a project aimed at optimizing the power of explosions by using reactive casings around energetic materials with varying internal structures. These materials, designed in collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), take advantage of 3D printing techniques to combine several materials in a single step. This approach paves the way for unique configurations capable of modifying material behavior, from their fragmentation to the way they release energy. Collard explains, “These materials are tailorable for different use cases, which is the great thing about additive manufacturing. It’s really meant for a case-by-case basis,” She adds, “If you have a specific mission set in mind or a specific performance requirement, traditional or standardized manufacturing may not be the best fit, as it is better for pumping out parts and designs at volume.”