Thermal decomposition of RDX in the presence of added K2B12H12

In an effort to understand the enhancement effect of boron hydride salts on the burning rates of nitramine gun propellants, the thermal decomposition of RDX has been studied, in the presence and absence of added K2B12H12, by two methods: 1) The samples are decomposed in an adapter attached to the in let of a gas chromatograph, and the less-volatile products are examined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). 2) The decomposition is quench ed short of completion, and the nonvolatile residue is analyzed by high-pre ssure liquid chromatography, The pyrolysis-GCMS studies resulted in the chr omatographic detection of the mechanistically. significant 1,3,5-triazine a s a product of RDX thermal decomposition; they. also indicated that added K 2B12H12 changes the product distribution obtained from RDX decomposition. T he residue-analysis studies confirmed the formation of MRDX and related nit rosoamines in RDS decomposition and also produced evidence for chemical acc eleration, by added K2B12H12. Of the thermal decomposition of RDX. Some pos sible mechanisms for formation and breakdown of 1,3,5-triazine during RDX t hermal decomposition are discussed.