A model of ammonium perchlorate deflagration between 20 and 100 atm

Effect of metal oxide additives on the thermal decomposition of perchlorates, oxalates and hydroxides

The catalytic decomposition of KClO4 by Fe2O3, obtained by calcination of Fe(II) salts at different temperatures, was investigated by DTA, TG, X-ray and IR. A sample without catalyst was found to begin fusion and decomposition simultaneously, and to form an intermediate, KClO3. Addition of catalysts resulted in solid-phase decomposition before fusion of KClO4, and in a small amount of KClO3. The difference in catalytic effect observed for different catalysts was less in the molten-phase decomposition than in the solid phase. The initial decomposition temperature (T
i) increased with the temperature of preparation of the catalyst and showed a definitive relationship with the crystallite size of the catalyst. The change ofT
i is discussed on the basis of then-type semiconductive properties of the catalyst.

Robert A. Seybert

Papers

The Kinetics of the Isothermal Decomposition of Potassium Perchlorate1