Thin Film Laser Pyrolysis of Nitramine Propellants
Abstract
A thin film laser pyrolysis technique has been developed to investigate initial steps in the thermal decomposition mechanism of RDX (1,3,5- trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) under rapid heating conditions. In this technique, thin films (10 microns or less) of RDX are irradiated with the pulsed output of a line-tuneable carbon dioxide laser to heat them from 77 K to approximately 1000 K in 35 microseconds. The films are then cooled back to 77 K in a few milliseconds by heat conduction into the film support. Initial pyrolysis reaction products are thereby trapped in the films for detection by transmission infrared spectroscopy. Results of numerous experiments on RDX films show that the initial step in the thermal decomposition mechanism under these conditions is unimolecular scission of a single N-N bond in the condensed phase. This reaction forms nitrogen dioxide, which is detected in its dimerized form, dinitrogen tetroxide. RDX, Nitramine, Laser, Pyrolysis, Thin film, Infrared.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 04, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA275957
Entities
People
- Charles A. Wight
Organizations
- University of Utah