Thermally Initiated Processes in Activated Metal–Polymer Composites Obtained by High-Pressure Plastic Deformation of Aluminum-Based Mixtures

Abstract

The passivating properties of various polymer matrices and processes of their thermal decomposition in the presence of a filler, i.e., active aluminum particles, are studied for an activated metal–polymer composite obtained by vigorous plastic deformation of aluminum powder–polymer mixtures, same as the processes of the further aluminum depassivation and oxidation, when the polymer phase has already been destroyed. For this, mixtures of different polymers with 50 and 80 wt % of aluminum are subjected to plastic deformation under the pressure of 1 and 4 GPa and then are studied using the thermogravimetric method in the temperature range of 20–800°C in air and in nitrogen. A decrease in the sample mass related to polymer decomposition is observed in the range of 20–450°C, while the mass increases due to aluminum oxidation and nitrogenation in the range of 450–800°C. Oxygen activity is lower than nitrogen activity in the low-temperature range and higher in the high-temperature range.