Sensitivity Fundamentals.
Abstract
The suggestion that a pressure-sensitive equilibrium is important to the initiation of detonation in nitroalkanes has been tested. First, considered was the potentially important step NO + NO2 = N2O3 to O2 + N2O and the thermal decomposition of N2O3 at 130C and about 35 atm. When a small amount of water was added to the system, a violent explosion occurred after about 5 minutes of heating. The reaction between NO and NO2 may be water catalyzed and may offer some insight into the energetics of nitroalkane detonation. Also studied was the oxidizing abilities of NO2/N2O4 systems at 100C and 10-20 atm., using isobutane as the organic substrate. The rate of reaction was determined. The results are consistent with our proposition that under detonation initiation (high pressure-high temperature) conditions N2O4 is the p predominant species and is in some way responsible for the oxidation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA015924
Entities
People
- D. S. Ross
- N. A. Kirshen
- T. Mill
Organizations
- SRI International