Thermitic Thermodynamics: A Computational Survey and Comprehensive Interpretation of Over 800 Combinations of Metals, Metalloids, and Oxides

Thermites, which are generally considered to be reactive mixtures of powdered metals and metal oxides, are an important subset of energetic materials. The underlying thermodynamic properties of a given mixture dictate whether it may undergo a self-sustaining reaction, liberating heat in the process. Thermodynamic information in the existing scientific literature regarding thermitic combinations is scattered and incomplete. Currently, a comprehensive overview of this nature would be of great use to those working in the areas of pyrotechnics, pyrometallurgy, high-temperature chemistry, and materials science. Thermitic Thermodynamics solves this problem by describing the results of calculations on over 800 combinations of metal, metalloid, and metal oxide reactants.

Other features include:

• A first-of-its-kind adiabatic survey of binary thermitic reactions
• Provides an overview of key trends in exothermic metal-metal oxide reactivity
• Describes the role of non-oxide product formation in thermitic systems
• Explains how to interpret the results of thermochemical calculations effectively

An invaluable resource, this book provides an accessible introduction for students and is also an enduring guide for professionals.

Anthony Peter Gordon Shaw received a B.S. degree in chemistry from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2004. He subsequently pursued graduate studies in the same discipline and received his M.A., M.Phil., and Ph.D. degrees from Columbia University in 2006, 2008, and 2009, respectively. For one year, Dr. Shaw was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oslo. Since 2010, he has worked in the U.S. Army’s Pyrotechnics Technology Division at Picatinny Arsenal. He has also been an instructor at Picatinny Arsenal’s Armament Graduate School since 2015. Much of his work with energetic materials and munitions has involved reformulating pyrotechnic compositions to remove objectionable and hazardous components. More recently, he has focused on understanding and describing the thermodynamic characteristics of pyrotechnics. Dr. Shaw is the author or coauthor of a growing collection of scientific articles pertaining to his areas of interest and research. Additionally, he is the Archivist of the International Pyrotechnics Society and Vice President of Seminar Records for IPSUSA Seminars, the organization that plans and arranges the biennial seminars of the International Pyrotechnics Society in the United States.