Studies on kinetics and mechanism of initial thermal decomposition of nitrocellulose

The thermal decomposition of nitrocellulose (NC) 12.1% N, has been studied with regard to kinetics, mechanism, morphology and the gaseous products thereof, using thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), IR spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and hot stage microscopy. The kinetics of the initial stage of thermolysis ofNC in condensed state has been investigated by isothermal high temperature infrared spectroscopy (IR). The decomposition ofNC in KBr matrix in the temperature range of 142–151°C shows rapid decrease in O?NO₂ band intensity, suggesting that the decomposition of NC occurs by the rupture of O?NO₂ bond. The energy of activation for this process has been determined with the help of Avrami-Erofe'ev equation (n=1) and is ≈188.35 kJ·mol^?1. Further, the IR spectra of the decomposition products in the initial stage of thermal decomposition ofNC, indicates the presence of mainly NO₂ gas and aldehyde.     

The catalytic effect of NiO on thermal decomposition of nitrocellulose

The catalytic effect of NiO on thermal decomposition of nitrocellulose (NC) has been investigated via thermogravimetry–mass spectrometry (TG–MS) coupling technique, and the residue of NC with 20% NiO reacted in tubular furnace was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). TG–MS analysis showed that adding 2% NiO to NC accelerated the thermal decomposition process and promoted the generation of gaseous products. The catalytic mechanism was based on the accelerated generation of NO₂, which further reacted with the radical to produce other gaseous products. XRD analysis of catalyst residue showed that Ni was formed during the catalytic reaction.     

Study of the radical products of the thermal decomposition of nitrocellulose

The thermal transformations of nitrocellulose are accompanied by the formation of RN0₂ ^– radicals and allyl radicals. A mechanism for the formation of these radicals was proposed.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 11, pp. 2641–2644, November, 1989.     

Effect of plasticizer dibutyl phthalate on the thermal decomposition of nitrocellulose

This paper aims to investigate the effects of plasticizer dibutyl phthalate (DBP) on the thermal decomposition of nitrocellulose (NC) by using a series of analytical apparatuses. In the present study, the detailed structures of pure NC (NC-P) and NC with DBP (NC-D) were revealed by scanning electron microscope. It was found that the fibers in NC-D are more closely aligned than those in NC-P, which makes the thermal behaviors of NC-D different from NC-P. The thermal stability of both NC-P and NC-D was examined by means of simultaneous TG-DSC apparatus (STA). Three different kinetic methods (Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose method, Ozawa–Flynn–Wall method, and Friedman method) were applied for determining the activation energy E of these two NC samples. Moreover, the experimental data were compared with sigmoidal models and pre-exponential factor was calculated by compensation effect. Besides, in situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and a TGA instrument coupled with Frontier FTIR spectrometer were employed to investigate the characteristic functional groups of decomposition residues and gaseous products at different temperatures, respectively. The results show that NC-P and NC-D have similar decomposition products and decomposition mechanisms.     

Effect of industrial water components on thermal stability of nitrocellulose

In order to prevent the spontaneous ignition of nitrocellulose (NC), NC is stabilized by washing with industrial water in its synthesis process. However, there is a possibility that the components in industrial water contribute to the thermal stability of NC. In this way, the purpose of this study is to clarify the effect of industrial water components on the thermal stability of NC. In experiments, a heat flux calorimeter was used to observe the thermal behavior of NC with the residue of vaporized industrial water. The induction period of heat release of NC with 2-mass% residues was approximately 2–5 h shorter than that of NC alone whose induction period was observed at 7 h. Those results indicate that the residue destabilized NC. On the other hand, when the additive amount of the residue was increased, the induction period gradually increased as well. Based upon these results, we assume that inorganic salts contributing to stabilization and destabilization competitively coexist in the industrial water components. The same thermal analysis was performed on NC with CaCO₃, CaSO₄, CaCl, ZnSO₄, NaCl, and CuCl. Those salts are predicted to exist in the industrial water. In the results, the induction period of NC with 2-mass% CaCO₃ was approximately 15-h longer than that of NC alone, while the induction period with the inorganic salts CaSO₄, CaCl, ZnSO₄, NaCl, and CuCl was 4–5-h shorter. Therefore, when the industrial water components accumulate in NC, the destabilization by inorganic salts such as CaSO₄, CaCl, ZnSO₄, NaCl, and CuCl and the stabilization by compounds such as CaCO₃ are thought to countervail against each other.     

Kinetics of the thermal decomposition of nitrocellulose after treatment with weak acids

The kinetics of the thermal decomposition of nitrocellulose, treated with weak acids after nitrationin a nitric-sulfuric acid mixture, have been studied in the temperature range 75–110°C. It was found by Chromatographic analysis of the gaseous decomposition products that to an extent of up to 10% the decomposition takes place according to second order autocatalysis kinetics, and the rate of decomposition can vary by a factor of approximately two with the duration of the preliminary treatment and with the nature of the original cellulose. The activation energy in the initial stages of the process, determined from the rate of evolution of N₂O, CO₂, CO, and NO amounted to 24 kcal/mole. It was concluded that thermal decomposition is determined by acid hydrolysis of nitrocellulose residues by sulfuric acid. The rate constant for the hydrolysis of nitrocellulose by sulfuric acid in a nitrate ester medium and the diffusion constant of H₂SO₄ in nitrocellulose have been estimated.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 12, pp. 2744–2750, December, 1991.     

Thermal stability and thermal decomposition of N-oxides

Kinetic manometric studies indicate that the first step in the thermal decomposition of a number of N-oxides is the formation of a cyclic activated complex. There is a correlation between the thermal stability of the compounds studied in the liquid phase and the charge on the oxygen atom of the N-oxide group calculated by the MPDP method. Autocatalysis of gas evolution from halogenopyridine N-oxides is explained by hydrogen halide autocatalysis. The limit of thermal stability for N-oxides is likely to be no greater than 270°C.Biisk Lyceum, Altai Region, Biisk 659302. Kazan' State Technological University, Kazan' 420015. Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 11, pp. 1573–1576, November, 1995. Original article submitted October 20, 1995.     

Fabrication and thermal decomposition of glycidyl azide polymer modified nitrocellulose double base propellants

Glycidyl azide polymer(GAP) with the advantages of non-volatility and excellent thermal stability is a candidate as a replacement for nitroglycerine(NG) in a double base propellant. The GAP-NC double base propellants were formulated with GAP and nitrocellulose(NC) fibers. Tensile test and SEM characterization indicated that GAP-NC propellants had a homogeneous structure. Thermogravimetric analysis of GAP-NC propellants revealed that the onset decomposition temperature reached a high level ranging from 192.9 to 194.6 °C, which indicated that the substitution of NG with GAP contributed to the safe storage and process operations for double base propellant. The result analysis of decomposition products of GAP-NC propellants showed that the main gas decomposition products of the propellants were NO, NO_2, CO, CO_2, NH_3, CH_4, HCN, N_2, CH_2O and C_2H_4O. The thermal decomposition process of the specimens was proposed.     

Comparison of the kinetic behavior of crystalline cane and beet sucrose thermal decomposition

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In this work, an experimental investigation on the effects of temperature and concentration of nanoparticles on the viscosity of...     

Comparison of the thermal decomposition behavior for members of the hydroxylamine family

In the present work the thermal stability of some members of the hydroxylamine family was studied using adiabatic calorimetry. The study included aqueous solutions of hydroxylamine free base, hydroxylamine hydrochloride, hydroxylamine sulfate, and hydroxylamine-o-sulfonic acid of concentrations typically used in industry. Also, the catalytic effect of metal surfaces of stainless steel, carbon steel, and titanium was studied. From the solutions studied HA is the most reactive with higher maximum temperature, pressure, non-condensable pressure, and lower time to maximum rate. HA maximum heat rate is at least ∼3 times higher than that of the other solutions studied, and the pressure generation rate is ∼13 times higher. All decompositions were catalyzed by stainless steel, but only HA was catalyzed significantly by titanium metal. Solid hydroxylamine hydrochloride, hydroxylamine sulfate, and hydroxylamine-o-sulfonic acid exhibited stability up to ∼60 °C. Hydroxylamine 100% was not studied because it is not readily available, is not used industrially, and is known to be unstable at room temperature. A violent reaction was measured for solid hydroxylamine sulfate that generated a heat rate >500 °C/min and pressure rate >5200 psia/min before the sample cell was completely destroyed by the generated pressure.     

Effect of different humectants on the thermal stability and fire hazard of nitrocellulose

In order to ensure the thermal safety of nitrocellulose (NC) mixtures in the process of handing, storage, and usage, it is necessary to obtain the thermal stability and fire hazard of NC with different humectants. In this study, the thermogravimetry experiments with four heating rates (5, 10, 15, 20 C min^?1) under nitrogen and air atmospheres were performed to investigate the thermal stability of two NC-humectants, namely NC-water and NC-ethanol mixtures, and pure NC. Moreover, the influence of humectants on the fire hazard of NC was evaluated by the ISO 5660 Cone Calorimeter test. The humectant, water or ethanol, can increase the activation energy and reduce the fire risk of NC. Compared with the NC with water, the NC with ethanol exhibits lower activation energy and higher fire hazard.     

Physicochemical properties and thermal behavior of nitrocellulose granules with eutectic mixtures of stabilizers

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Examinations of two-component mixtures, namely: triphenylamine?+?centralite I (TPA?+?CI) and...     

The thermal decomposition behavior of RDX-base propellants

In this paper, the thermal decomposition of cyclotrimethylenetri-nitramine (RDX)-base propellants involving many components has been investigated by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The decomposition characters at different heating rates and the activation energies are determined by DSC measurement. The results show that the decomposition of RDX is accelerated obviously during the decomposition of nitroglycerin (NG). Though the content of dibutyl-benzene-dicarbonate (DBP) ingredient in the propellants is less, it has a remarkable effect on the initial decomposition temperature of the propellants. The azido-nitromine compound (DIANP) brings about the shift of the peak of decomposition of RDX and nitrocellulose (NC) to lower temperature due to its liquefying or dissolving.     

Structure,thermal stability and decomposition of bis-allyl-zinc compounds

The structure, thermal stability and decomposition of solutions of diallylzinc (I), bis(2-methylallyl)zinc (II), bis(3-methylallyl)zinc (III) and bis(3,3-dimethylallyl)zinc (IV) in deuterated solvents, have been investigated by¹H NMR and by kinetic measurements at temperatures between ?125 and +180°C. At room temperature I, II, III and IV are dynamic systems and are best described as being rapidly equilibrating mixtures of all isomeric σ-allyl forms; the NMR spectra are averages weighted according to the relative concentrations of the respective forms. I displays a¹H NMR spectrum of a static σ-allyl system only below ?125°C and II only below ?115°C. At temperatures above 100°C the thermal decomposition of I–IV results in coupling of the allyl groups, decomposition via radicals being the major process. The coupled products exhibit CIDNP, in which the multiplet polarisations confirm a decomposition via randomly diffusing allyl radicals. In the allyl radicals CH₂CR¹CR²R³ an alternating spin density was proved experimentally. The thermal stability decreases in the order I > II > III > IV.     

Monitoring of thermal behavior and decomposition products of soybean oil

The thermal degradation and corresponding decomposition products of fresh and heat-treated soybean oil were investigated by synchronous thermal analyzer combined with Fourier transform infrared spectrometry and quadrupole mass spectrometry (STA–FTIR–QMS). Two longtime heat-treated soybean oil samples were aforehand prepared by consistently heating the fresh soybean oil for 50 and 100 h, respectively. N₂ and simulative air (N₂/O₂ = 4:1, volume) were used as the thermal reaction gas atmosphere. The results showed that one stage of mass loss appeared in analysis of the all oil samples under N₂ atmosphere condition and longtime heat pre-treatment had no effect on the thermal behavior of the soybean oil under N₂ atmosphere condition. However, four stages occurred in analysis of both untreated and heat-treated oil samples under the simulative air atmosphere condition. Longtime heat pre-treatment influenced the thermal behavior of the soybean oil in certain extent, which was reflected in the different mass loss values of the four stages. According to the infrared absorption profiles and MS spectra of the released compounds in vapor phase, H₂O, CO, CO₂, hydrocarbons (such as CH₄), and hydroxyl, carbonyl, and carboxyl-contained compounds have been confirmed. Therefore, STA–FTIR–QMS can be suggested as a promising technique for investigating of thermal degradation and monitoring the decomposition products of the evolving substances in edible oils.     

An experimental study on thermal decomposition behavior of magnesite

Thermal decomposition of magnesite is investigated by using a TG–MS. Different kinetic methods including Coats–Redfern, Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose are used to investigate the thermal decomposition kinetics of magnesite. It was observed that the activation energy values obtained by these methods are similar. The average apparent activation energy is found to be about 203 kJ mol^?1. The raw magnesite and its decomposition products obtained at different temperatures are analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The concentration of functional groups, crystal structure and composition, and apparent morphology of decomposition products were studied in detail. The FTIR, XRD, and SEM analyses showed that magnesite was completely decomposed at 973 K to form MgO.     

Flame retardancy and thermal decomposition behavior of TPU/chitosan composites

The application of chitosan (CS) in new materials is a hot research topic. In this paper, CS was used alone as flame retardant to prepare thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (TPU) composites. Then, the flame retardancy and thermal decomposition behavior of TPU/CS composites were intensively investigated using cone calorimeter test (CCT), scanning electron microscope (SEM), microscale combustion colorimeter (MCC) test, thermogravimetric analysis/infrared spectrometry (TG‐IR), and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry (GC‐MS). The results showed that CS can reduce the fire risk of TPU; 2.0‐wt% CS could make the peak value of heat release rate (pHRR) decreased to 457.2 kW/m², reduced by 65.9% compared with TPU. And the peak value of smoke production rate (pSPR) and total smoke release (TSR) of the same sample was decreased by 79.4% and 54.2%, respectively. The TG‐IR and GC‐MS results confirmed that CS could promote TPU decomposition in advance, reacting with the decomposition products of TPU. Therefore, the production of combustible gas was reduced. The GC‐MS results showed that the production of isocyanates and ethers was reduced with the addition of CS. The digital photographs of SEM for the samples after CCT were shown that the char residue layer of the sample containing 2.0‐wt% CS was fibrous in shape. It could be speculated that the thermal decomposition products from TPU could react with CS at low temperature, which reduced the production of flammable gases. So CS had a good prospect in reducing the fire hazard for TPU.