Thermal analysis of the mixtures of paraffin with aluminum in wide temperature range

Abstract

The mixtures and composites of wax, paraffin and metals are widely used as energy efficient formulations and phase change materials for heat storage. Aluminum is frequently employed in the formulations of many composite explosives or propellants. Metal fuel additives are used in advanced explosive formulations to achieve higher combustion temperatures and longer pressure pulses. In this project, Al-paraffin wax composite materials were prepared and characterized. The thermal stability of the prepared powders was determined by differential scanning calorimeter, simultaneous thermogravimetry analysis- differential thermal analysis in the temperature range 30-1300°C at atmospheric pressure. The results of differential scanning calorimeter showed that the thermal performance and structure of the composite materials are stable up to 200°C.The paraffindecompositionwith an energy release is possible at temperatures over 200°C and the oxidation of aluminum may be at a temperature above its melting point.It is shown that the maximum total amount of heat generated by the thermal decomposition of the composition was at the mass fraction of aluminum of 16% - 18%.