Thermal decomposition of solid mixtures of 2-oxy-4, 6-dinitramine-s-triazine (DNAM) and phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN)

The thermal decomposition of solid mixtures of 2-oxy-4,6-dinitramine-s-tria zine (DNAM) and phase stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN) at different mass ratios has been studied. Simultaneous thermal analysis (DSC/TG) and thermom icroscopy have been used. it was found that PSAN promotes the lowering of t he decomposition temperature of DNAM. The beginning of this process occurs when both components are in the solid state irrespective of the composition . However, the composition appears as the main factor determining the proce ss progression once initiated. These observations are interpreted in the li ght of known properties of both DNAM and PSAN. Non-isothermal kinetic analy sis, restricted to the early stage of the decomposition process, has been p erformed for the particular DNAM/PSAN ratios of 50/50 and 60/40. The comple xity of the process is evidenced by the impossibility of being described by a kinetic model function other than an empirical one (Sestak-Berggren). No ticeable differences in the apparent Arrhenius parameters were found, indic ating remarkable changes in the process over the composition range of the k inetic analysis. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V, All rights reserved.