On deceleration of chemical reactions in deflagration

Abstract

The paper deals with the possibility of a deceleration of chemical reactions in the deflagration of the explosives, ammonium nitrate (AN) and ammonium perchlorate (AP) and some of their mixtures, proceedings from the assumption of the possible role of nitric oxides and of a dissociation reaction of AN and AP. Experiments were made in a constant pressure bomb over the pressure range 1 to 1000 atm. It is shown that addition to RDX of deoxidants (10 per cent) such as derivatives of urea, propellant stabilizers, diphenyl, o-aminophenol and many others, decreased mass burning rate ( R m) by two or three times. Efficiency of the additives is greatest at low pressures and decreases with pressure. One of the most effective additives, urethane, decelerated also the R m of TNT, PETN, picric acid, nitroglycol and DINA. The deflagration of AP and ammonite 80/20 was decelerated also by addition of readily-decomposed salts of ammonia. Assumptions regarding the mechanism of deceleration of the combustion process are suggested and specific effects of additives for different classes of compounds discussed.