The self-ignition of dichlorosilane-oxygen mixtures is investigated an
d the first and second explosion limits are determined. The linear cha
in branching is shown to be controlled by the reactions involving dich
lorosilane. For the temperature range of 100 - 240 degrees C, the rate
constant for the linear chain branching is presented by the Arrhenius
expression, k = (4.0 +/- 0.3) x 10(-11) exp [-(3300 +/- 200)/T] cm(3)
/s.