Effect of nano Aluminum on Thermal Behavior and Ignition Characteristics of Al/KClO4 Thermite Composition

Abstract

Ignition experiments of micron size Al/KClO 4 (ALCLO) thermite composition was carried out at high heating rate (40°C/min.) using DTA (differential thermal analysis), and it was observed that no ignition took place up to 700°C. Similarly in case of STA (simultaneous thermal analyzer) experiments, no ignition peaks were found up to 1100°C at 20/min. ALCLO when ignited in a bomb calorimeter for heat of combustion output measurement it produced a large amount of heat of combustion (2100 cal/g). To study the ignition aspect, DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) experiments were carried out for ingredients and compositions at different heating rates, i.e., 10, 20, 25, 28, and 30°C/min. Nano-Al was used as additive to understand the ignition behavior below 700°C and experiment was successful. It was observed that a sharp ignition peak is obtained below 700°C. The ignition temperature was found below 600°C in DTA for nano-added ALCLO. Ignition mechanism is reported for the compositions by using XRD (X-ray Diffractometer). Effect of heating rate and additives on ignition temperature has also been reported in this study. Again, with increasing nano-Al weight ratio, ignition took place at lower heating rate (25°C/min).