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.     

Thermal analysis of sulfurization of polyacrylonitrile with elemental sulfur

Thermal analysis of sulfurization of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) with elemental sulfur was investigated by thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis of the mixture of polyacrylonitrile and elemental sulfur up to 600°C. Due to the volatilization of sulfur, the different heating rate (10 and 20 K min⁻¹) and different mixture proportion of polyacrylonitrile and elemental sulfur were adopted to run the analysis. The different heating rates make the DSC curves of sulfur different, but make the DSC curves of PAN similar. In the DSC curve of sulfur for the heating rate of 20 K min⁻¹ around 400°C, a small exothermic peak occurs at 400°C in the wide endothermic peak around 380∼420°C, indicative of that there is an exothermic reaction around 400°C. In the DSC curves of the mixture, the peaks around 320°C are exothermic as the content of sulfur is below 3.5:1 and endothermic as the content of sulfur is over 4:1, indicating that one of the reactions between PAN and sulfur takes place around 320°C. In the TG curves of the mixture, the mass losses begin at 220°C, and sharply drop down from 280°C. The curves for the low sulfur content obviously show two steps of mass loss, and curves for the high sulfur content show only one step of mass loss, indicative of more sulfur is benefit for the complete sulfurization of PAN. This study demonstrates that the TG/DSC analysis can give the parameter for the sulfurization, even if the starting mixture contains the volatile sulfur.     

Study on the condensation and crosslinking reactions of furfuryl alcohol and tris(2-hy-droxyethyl)isocyanurate by thermal methods

Condensation and crosslinking reactions of furfuryl alcohol (FA) and FA with tris (2-hydroxyethyl )isocyanurate (THEIC) are studied by means of DSC, TG, TBA, NMR and elemental analysis. Four exothermic peaks are observed on the DSC curves of thermal condensation of FA and FA with THEIC in the presence of sulfuric acid. The peaks I, II (50–80°C), III (110–130°C) and IV (150–190°C) correspond to linear polycondensation of FA through head-to-tail condensation, head-to-head etherification, crosslinking dehydration reaction between methylene group and terminal hydroxy group of FA polymeric chain and to further crosslinking reaction at higher temperature, respectively. The reactivity of FA and THEIC increases sharply at 130–150°C and THEIC is reacted completely at 150°C. Addition of THEIC raises the initial decomposition temperature of FA polymer by 60°C.     

Thermal and stability study of tetracene using differential scanning calorimetry

A thermal analysis study was made of tetracene using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The effect of different scan speeds was investigated. At scan speeds of 0.625 to 10°C min^?1 two large rounded exothermic peaks were produced. The peaks occurred at an increasingly high temperature as the scan speed increased (for example, the peaks occurred at 128 and 130°C at a scan speed of 0.625°C min^?1 and at 148 and 150°C at a scan speed of 10°C min^?1. When tetracene was heated at a scan speed of 80°C min^?1 only one large sharp exothermic peak was produced. It is believed that the two peaks obtained at scan speeds of 0.625 to 10°C min^?1 represent decomposition of the tetracene in two successive stages, while the one peak obtained at 80°C min^?1 represents an explosion. A stability test for tetracene is proposed that involves heating of the tetracene in aluminum pans from the DSC apparatus in ovens at 100, 75, and 60°C, removing the pans and samples at intervals of 30 min, 24 h, and 7 days, respectively, subjecting the samples to DSC at 1.25°C min^?1, and noting the time interval in the oven that produces a DSC curve that shows obliteration of the second peak. Two lots of tetracene made by different processes showed marked differences in stability characteristics.     

Differential thermal analysis of polyester/cotton blends treated with Thpc—urea—poly(vinyl bromide)

Differential thermal analyses (DTA) were made on a series of polyester/cotton blend fabrics before and after treatment with Thpc—urea—poly(vinyl bromide). This flame retardant did not affect the polyester melting endotherm, which was proportional to the polyester content and appeared at approximately 250°C. In nitrogen atmosphere, DTA of the treated blends showed exothermic peaks at 285°C for the cotton decomposition. and at 415°C for the polyester decomposition. In air, DTA of the treated blends showed exothermic peaks at 333°C for cellulose decomposition, at 431°C for polyester decomposition and at 490°C for char decomposition. The Thpc-urea component of the flame retardant is effective on the cotton cellulose portion of the blend; the poly(vinyl bromide) appears to decompose and act in the vapor state on the polyester.     

DSC characterisation of chemically reduced electrolytic manganese dioxide

The thermal decomposition of electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD), in an inert atmosphere, and the effect of chemical reduction on EMD, using 2-propanol under reflux (82°C), was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). This study is an extension of a study investigating the thermal decomposition of EMD and reduced EMD by TG-MS (J. Therm. Anal. Cal., 80 (2005)625)). The DSC characterisation was carried out up to 600°C encompassing the water loss region up to 390°C and the first thermal reduction step. Water removal was observed in two distinct endothermic peaks (which were not deconvolved in the TG-MS) associated with the removal of bound water. For the lower degrees of chemical reduction, thermal reduction resulted in the formation of Mn₂O₃; for higher degrees of chemical reduction, the thermal reduction resulted in Mn₃O₄ at 600°C. In the DSC the thermal reduction of the EMD and chemically reduced specimen was observed to be endothermic. The reduced specimens, however, also showed an exothermic structural reorganisation.     

Thermal kinetic studies on the decompositions of cefuroxime lysine in different atmospheres and heating rates

The thermal decomposition of a new antibiotic agent, cefuroxime lysine, was investigated by thermogravimetry analysis/derivative thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods in anoxic and oxidative environments. The influence of heating rates (including 5, 10, 15, and 20 °C/min) on the thermal behavior of cefuroxime lysine was revealed. By the methods of Kissinger and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa, the thermal kinetic parameters of activation energy and pre-exponential factor for the exothermic processes under non-isothermal conditions were calculated using the analysis of corresponding DSC curves.     

Studies on ignition and afterburning processes of KClO4/Mg pyrotechnics heated in air

Thermal behavior of KClO₄/Mg pyrotechnic mixtures heated in air was investigated by thermal analysis. Effects of oxygen balance and heating rates on the TG?CDSC curves of mixtures were examined. Results showed that DSC curves of the mixtures had two exothermic processes when heated from room temperature to 700?°C, and TG curve exhibited a slight mass gain followed by a two-stage mass fall and then a significant mass increase. The exothermic peak at lower temperature and higher temperature corresponded to the ignition process and afterburning process, respectively. Under the heating rate of 10?°C?min^?1, the peak temperatures for ignition and afterburning process of stoichiometric KClO₄/Mg (58.8/41.2) was 543 and 615?°C, respectively. When Mg content increased to 50%, the peak ignition temperature decreased to 530?°C, but the second exothermic peak changed little. Reaction kinetics of the two exothermic processes for the stoichiometric mixture was calculated using Kissinger method. Apparent activation energies for ignition and afterburning process were 153.6 and 289.5?kJ?mol^?1, respectively. A five-step reaction pathway was proposed for the ignition process in air, and activation energies for each step were also calculated. These results should provide reference for formula design and safety storage of KClO₄/Mg-containing pyrotechnics.     

Thermal behaviour of lignins extracted from different raw materials

The thermal degradation of lignins extracted from bagasse, rice straw, corn stalk and cotton stalk, have been investigated using the techniques of thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA), between room temperature and 600°C. The actual pyrolysis of all samples starts above 200°C and is slow. The results calculated from TG curves indicated that the activation energy, Efor thermal degradation for different lignins lies in the range 7.949–8.087 kJ mol^?1. The DTA of all studied lignins showed an endothermic tendency around 100°C. In the active pyrolysis temperature range, thermal degradation occurred via two exothermic process at about 320 and 480°C, and a large endothermic pyrolysis region between 375 and 450°C. The first exothermic peak represents the main oxidation and decomposition reaction, the endothermic effect represents completion of the decomposition and the final exothermic peak represents charring.     

Thermal analysis of RDX with contaminants

Many investigations and researches studied the reaction ability between high explosive RDX and RDX with other chemicals. However, accidents still occur and operating problems exist among the RDX manufacturing process. This study utilized inherent safety concepts and DSC thermal analysis to assess the incompatible reaction hazards of RDX during usage, handling, storage, transporting and manufacturing. This assessment includes thermal curve observations and kinetic evaluations. A decomposition mechanism of the incompatible reaction is proposed. Among all the contaminants evaluated in this study, the existence of ferrous chloride tetrahydrate, ferric chloride hexahydrate and nitric acid shifted the main endothermic and exothermic reactions of RDX. These contaminants further advanced the exothermic temperature onset average by about 53, 46 and 61°C, respectively. The summarized results suggest that ferric oxide, ferrous chloride tetrahydrate, ferric chloride hexahydrate, acetone solution and nitric acid can influence the reaction and thermokinetic properties of RDX. These chemicals could induce potential hazards by causing temperature control instability, heating and cooling systems failure, and produce an unexpected secondary explosion. According to the conclusions of this study, potential incompatible RDX hazards during usage and manufacturing could be avoided.     

纳米氧化钕的制备及其催化性能的研究

Nanometer-sized neodymium oxide has been synthesized by humid solid state reaction at room temperature， and characterized by scanning electron microscope， laser light scattering and X-ray diffraction. The effects of nanometer -sized neodymium oxide on catalyzing thermal decomposition reaction of hexogen (cyclotrimethylenetriamine， RDX) and absorbent powder (nitrocellulose absorbed nitroglycerin， NC/NG) have been investigated by DSC method. The mechanism of these catalytic reactions has also been proposed. The experimental results show that nanometer-sized neodymium oxide can catalyze the decomposition reaction of RDX and NC/NG effectively. The experimental results further suggest that nanometer-sized neodymium oxide is a potentially useful combustion catalyst of nitroamine propellant.     

Changes in crystallite size and microstrains of hematite derived from the thermal decomposition of synthetic akaganeite

The thermal decomposition of akaganeite, β-FeOOH, in air is studied. The structural properties of the dehydroxylation product, identified as hematite, are determined at different temperatures. From the results on crystallite size and microstrains, a change of crystallite shape has been shown to occur in the range of temperatures of 300 to 485°C. A marked increase in crystallite size and a diminution in microstrains is observed at 525°C. This change is related to the occurrence of an exothermic peak in the DTA and DSC curves of akaganeite at about 512°C. The peak is thus ascribed to a recrystallization process of hematite. Electron micrographs support the most relevant observations of changes in particle size and shape.     

Thermal analysis of the pyrolytic behaviors of a highly crosslinked polymer

Thermogravimetric-mass spectrometric (TG/MS) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) techniques were used in the characterization of oxidative and nonoxidative degradation reactions of a highly crosslinked divinylbenzene/styrene copolymer. When the copolymer was subjected to a temperature-programmed air environment, four exothermic reactions were detected. The initial small exothermic reaction, starting at ca. 125°C and reaching its maximum at ca. 180°C, was presumed to result from the decomposition of peroxides. The second exothermic reaction, which overlapped with the initial one and peaked at ca. 270°C, was attributed to oxidation with a significant amount of oxygen uptake and liberation of some gaseous products such as CO₂, styrene, benzaldehyde, ethylstyrene, and ethylbenzaldehyde. The strongest exothermic reaction took place at ca. 290–380°C and had its peak at ca. 360°C. Associated with this reaction was the generation of many gaseous pyrolysates, as given above. The exothermic reaction continued at a relatively constant rate from ca. 380°C to the maximum temperature of the experiment (500°C) with the release of only one gaseous product (CO₂). The initial exothermic reaction can be eliminated by controlled thermal decomposition of peroxides; therefore, a more thermally stable polymer can be obtained. Exothermic reactions, starting at ca. 170°C, were observed. Pyrolytic reactions in an inert gas were also studied.     

Utilization of microcalorimetry for an assessment of the potential for a runaway decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide at low temperatures

The exothermic decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) in cumene liquid was characterized by isothermal microcalorimetry, involving the thermal activity monitor (TAM). Unlike the exothermic behaviors previously determined from an adiabatic calorimeter, such as the vent sizing package 2 (VSP2), or differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal curves revealed that CHP undergoes an autocatalytic decomposition detectable between 75 and 90°C. Previous studies have shown that the CHP in a temperature range higher than 100°C conformed to an n ^th order reaction rate model. CHP heat of decomposition and autocatalytic kinetics behavior were measured and compared with previous reports, and the methodology and the advantages of using the TAM to obtain an autocatalytic model by curve fitting are reported. With various autocatalytic models, such as the Prout-Tompkins equation and the Avrami-Erofeev rate law, the best curve fit among models was also investigated and proposed.     

Accelerating rate calorimeter studies of water-induced thermal hazards of fireworks tip mixture

The objective of this article is to generate thermal decomposition data on fireworks tip mixture, a mixture used to coat the tip of fireworks, for easy ignition. This mixture has reportedly involved in triggering many accidents in fireworks industry. Different quantities of water were added to the mixture and its thermal characteristics were studied. Differential scanning calorimeter was used for screening tests and accelerating rate calorimeter was used for detailed studies in adiabatic and isothermal modes. The self-heat rate data obtained showed onset temperature for different quantity of water, at a range of 80–170 °C. The mixture with 40 % water wt/wt had onset at 80 °C in adiabatic mode. The same mixture on isoaging at 40 °C exhibited exothermic characteristics with a substantial rise in system pressure (57 bar). The heats of exothermic decomposition and Arrhenius kinetics were also computed.     

Adiabatic thermokinetics and process safety of pyrotechnic mixtures

Pyrotechnic mixtures are susceptible to explosive decompositions. The aim of this paper is to generate thermal decomposition data under adiabatic conditions for fireworks mixtures containing potassium nitrate, barium nitrate, sulfur, and aluminum which are manufactured on a commercial scale. Differential scanning calorimeter is used for screening tests and accelerating rate calorimeter is used for other studies. The self heat rate data obtained showed onset temperature in the range of 275?C295?°C for the fireworks atom bomb, Chinese cracker and palm leaf cracker. Of the three mixtures studied, atom bomb mixture had an early onset at 275?°C. The mixtures in general showed vigor exothermic decompositions. Palm leaf mixture exhibits multiple exotherm and reached a final temperature of 414?°C. The thermal decomposition contributes to substantial rise in system pressure. The heats of exothermic decomposition and Arrhenius kinetics were computed. The kinetic data are validated by comparing the predicted self heat rates with the experimental data.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure,and Properties of Energetic Copper(II) Complex based on 3,5‐Dinitrobenzoic Acid and 1,5‐Diaminotetrazole

Energetic copper(II) complexes based on 3,5‐dinitrobenzoic acid (HDNBA) and 1,5‐diaminotetrazole (DAT), Cu(DNBA)₂(H₂O)₂ ( 1 ) and Cu(DAT)₂(DNBA)₂ ( 2 ) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, single‐crystal and powder X‐ray diffraction. In both complexes, Cu^II was coordinated to a plane tetragon, by four oxygen atoms from two DNBA^– ions and two coordinated H₂O molecules for 1 , and by two oxygen atoms and two nitrogen atoms from different DNBA^– ions and DAT ligands for 2 . Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG) analyses were employed to measure the thermal decomposition processes and non‐isothermal kinetics parameters of the complexes. The thermal decomposition onset temperatures of 1 and 2 are 321 and 177 °C. The apparent activation energies of the first exothermic decomposition peaks of 1 and 2 are 247.2 and 185.2 kJ · mol^–1. Both 1 (35 J, > 360 N) and 2 (12.5 J, > 360 N) are less sensitive than RDX. The catalytic effects on the decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) of 1 and 2 were studied by DSC. All results supported the potential applications of the energetic complexes as additives of solid rocket propellants.     

Application of thermal analysis to the study of antituberculosis drugs–excipient compatibility

First-line drugs (rifampicin, RIF; isoniazid, INH; ethambutol, ETA; and pyrazinamide, PZA) recommended in conventional treatment of tuberculosis were analyzed in 1:1 w/w binary mixtures with microcrystalline cellulose MC 101 (CEL) and lactose supertab^® (LAC) by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermal analysis (DTA), and Fourier transformed infrared analysis (FTIR) as part of development of fixed dose combination (FDC) tablets. Evidence of interaction between drug and pharmaceutical excipients was supposed when peaks disappearance or shifting were observed on DTA and DSC curves, as well as decreasing of decomposition temperature onset and TG profiles, comparing to pure species data submitted to the same conditions. LAC was showed to interact with RIF (absence of drug fusion and recrystallization events on DSC/DTA curves); INH (thermal events of the mixtures different from those observed for drug and excipient pure in DSC/DTA curves); PZA (decrease on drug fusion peak in DSC/DTA curves), and ETA (shift on drug onset fusion and absence of pure LAC events on DSC/DTA curves). In all cases, an important decrease on the temperature of drug decomposition was verified for the mixtures (TG analysis). However, FTIR analysis showed good correlation between theoretical and experimental drug-LAC spectra except for INH–LAC mixture, evidencing high incompatibility between these two species and suggesting that those interactions with PZA and RIF were thermally induced. No evidence of incompatibilities in CEL mixtures was observed to any of the four-studied drugs.     

Thermal behavior of loratadine

Simultaneous thermogravimetry (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques were used for the characterization the thermal degradation of loratadine, ethyl-4-(8-chloro-5,6-dihydro-11H-benzo[5,6]cyclohepta[1,2-b]pyridin-11-ylidine)-1-piperidinecarboxylate. TG analysis revealed that the thermal decomposition occurs in one step in the 200–400°C range in nitrogen atmosphere. DTA and DSC curves showed that loratadine melts before the decomposition and the decomposition products are volatile in nitrogen. In air the decomposition follows very similar profile up to 300°C, but two exothermic events are observed in the 170–680°C temperature range. Flynn–Wall–Ozawa method was used for the solid-state kinetic analysis of loratadine thermal decomposition. The calculated activation energy (E _a) was 91±1 kJ mol^–1 for α between 0.02 and 0.2, where the mass loss is mainly due to the decomposition than to the evaporation of the decomposition products.     

Calorimetric Investigation of Conversion to The Most Stable Subgel Phase of Phosphatidylethanolamine-water System

The conversion of either the gel or the liquid crystal phase to the most stable subgel phase in dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE)-water system at a water content of 25 mass% was studied by differential scanning calorimetry and isothermal calorimetry. The calorimetric experiments were performed for two samples depending on whether the thermal treatment of cooling to -60°C was adopted or not. In DSC of varying heating rate, exothermic peaks due to the partial conversion were observed at either temperatures just below the gel-to-liquid crystal phase transition at 50°C or temperatures where the liquid crystal phase is present as a metastable state. The enthalpies of conversion for both the gel and the liquid crystal phase were measured directly by the isothermal calorimetries at 47 and 53°C, respectively, where the exothermic peaks were observed by DSC and were compared with the enthalpy difference between the gel and subgel phases and that between the liquid crystal and subgel phases. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.