Energetic Materials
Expert knowledge and the safe handling of explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics is of vital importance to the defence forces and to the civil community.
FOI’s Department for Energetic Materials generates knowledge and engages in development with safety as a primary consideration.
FOI is one of the world’s leading research players in the field of energetic materials. Our activities covers research, development and testing to demilitarisation and small-scale manufacture. We have a comprehensive expertise in areas such as the synthesis, formulation, analysis, characterisation and initiation of explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics. FOI offers integrated solutions for the Armed Forces and for civil customers both in Sweden and abroad.
The Swedish Armed Forces are our principal clients, while other major customers include civil authorities such as the Swedish Rescue Services Agency. For defence purposes we develop new applications based on energetic materials and we contribute towards the safety of munitions through studies of stability and ageing and through research into the processes that can lead to the accidental initiation of explosives. We also engage in the development of applications in such diverse fields as space, vehicle pyrotechnics (airbags) and antiterrorism.
We also carry out classification and functional tests, risk analyses relating to fire and explosion, as well as providing training in these fields.