A Study of the Decomposition Mechanism of Ammonium Perchlorate

Abstract

Using differential thermal analysis technique peak temperatures for the crystal transformation and chemical decomposition of ammonium perchlorate of various particle sizes have been determined at heating rates of approximately 2, 4 and 10 deg C/minute. It was found that peak temperatures varied with the heating rate and such variation permitted the calculation of activation energies for the particular changes occurring at the respective peak temperatures. The influence of the nature and pressure of the atmosphere over the ammonium perchlorate during heating was investigated. Various materials function as catalysts on the decomposition of ammonium perchlorate and activation energies were measured with various additives present. The conclusion was reached that the lowering of peak temperature for the decomposition exotherm by the catalyst was a better criterion of its effectiveness than the change in activation energy. An attempt was made to account for the mechanism of catalyst operation in order to explain the observed trends.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 30, 1965
Accession Number
AD0466956

Entities

People

  • James E. Land

Organizations

  • Auburn University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air
  • Ammonium Perchlorate
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Combustion
  • Crystal Structure
  • Decomposition
  • Differential Thermal Analysis
  • Electron Transfer
  • Heat Of Activation
  • Isotherms
  • Low Temperature
  • Particle Size
  • Perchlorates
  • Pressure Measurement
  • Thermal Analysis

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Rocket Propulsion.
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.