Non-isothermal differential thermal analysis in the study of the initial state of the thermal decomposition of polynitroaromatic compounds in the condensed state

The activation energies, E, of the decomposition of picramide and its N-methyl-,N-ethyl-,N-n-propyl- and N-n-butyl-derivatives are determined by means of non-isothermal DTA, in its simple form, as well as by the Piloyan method. A relationship is found between the E values of the above-mentioned compounds and the published values of the moments of inertia of the corresponding n-alkyl groups. Taking into account data published previously, which were obtained by application of the Piloyan method in the DTA of polynitroaromates, it is concluded that by suitable selection of DTA measurement conditions, it is possible to record the early part of the exothermal decomposition of the above-mentioned compounds were no autocatalytic influence exists. Attention is also paid to the thermostability of the polynitroaromates due to their contact with the construction materials employed in the course of thermolysis.