When the Al/Ta/PTFE reactive material was sintered at 360 °C in a vacuum sintering furnace, it was found that the material reacted to form a soft fluffy white substance and carbon black. To explore the reaction process further, powder samples of pure PTFE, Al/PTFE, Ta/PTFE and Al/Ta/PTFE, and molded cylindrical specimens were prepared. A TG-DSC test was carried out on the thermal reaction of four reactive materials, and XRD phase analysis was conducted on the white product, formed by the sintering reaction and the residue of the TG-DSC test sample, based on which of the pyrolysis processes and reaction mechanisms were analyzed. The results show that Ta and PTFE could have a chemical reaction at sintering temperature (360 °C) to form soft and fluffy white material TaF₃ and carbon black, which can overflow the surface of the specimen and cause cracking of the specimen, which is tightly pressed. Since no obvious exothermic peak showed up on the TG-DSC curve, the composition of the residue of TG-DSC sample at different temperatures was tested and TaF₃ was detected in the residue at 350 °C and 360 °C, indicating that Ta began to react with PTFE at a temperature range of 340–350 °C. According to the chemical properties and product formation of Ta, it could be speculated that the reaction mechanism between Ta and PTFE involves the PTFE decomposing first, then the fluorine-containing gas product reacting with metal Ta. According to the temperature range of the reaction, it is estimated that PTFE starts to decompose before 500 °C, but it is not detected effectively by TG-DSC, and the introduction of Ta could also affect the decomposition process of PTFE.

Metal hydrides are used as additives to improve the reaction energy and destructive effect of PTFE/Al system. PTFE/Al/TiH₂, PTFE/Al/MgH₂ and PTFE/Al/ZrH₂ are fabricated to compare the effect of multi-metal-hydrides on the material properties. The mechanical response of the materials at wide range of strain rates are investigated through conducting the quasi-static compression tests and split-Hopkinson pressure bar tests. The reaction energy, reaction mechanism, and damage effect are systematically studied by performing oxygen bomb calorimeter measurements, drop-weight experiments, and energetic liners impact damage experiments. The results show that adding TiH₂ and ZrH₂ with 10 wt% content can improve the strength and toughness of PTFE/Al, while MgH₂ plays a negative role in enhancing the mechanical property. MgH₂ has the strongest energy enhancement effect and energy release rate. TiH₂ is the most effective additive in prolonging the reaction time and enhancing the target reaming effect because of its highest gas production rate.