Effects of mixing metal ions for the thermal runaway reaction of TMCH

1,1-bis(tert-Butylperoxy)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane (TMCH) is commonly used as a crosslinking agent or an initiator of the heat-curing agent for polybutadiene rubber. Metal ions that remain in the pipelines or containers of manufacturing processes may affect the thermal stability of the organic peroxides. Moreover, pipelines or metal containers may contain some metal ions because of inner corrosive chemicals or surface deterioration, which may induce a chemical reaction, while TMCH is mixed with them. To avoid these unexpected chemical reactions, we focused on the thermal hazard analysis of TMCH mixed with metal ions, such as nickel(II) bromide or copper(II) bromide. The experiments can determine thermokinetic parameters, including exothermic onset temperature (T ₀), maximum temperature (T _max), and heat of decomposition (ΔH _d), under non-isothermal conditions by differential scanning calorimetry. Non-isothermal experimental results combined with isoconversional kinetic analysis can acquire further safety parameters, such as apparent activation energy (E _a) and time to maximum heating rate. The results of this study could be used as a proactive case for the storage of TMCH mixed with metal ions.