Thermal and Impact Sensitivity of Pyrotechnic Compositions Containing the Potassium Perchlorate, Aluminium and Graphite

Abstract

The research article aims to study the impact and thermal sensitivity of pyrotechnic compositions which contain potassium perchlorate (KClO4), aluminium (Al) and graphite (C). Simultaneous DSC-TGA (Differential Scanning Calorimetry and Thermogravimetric Analysis) were used for studying the thermal sensitivity, and BAM fall hammer was used for studying the impact sensitivity. The onset temperature of the exothermic reaction is between 521°C to 528°C for all the studied compositions. The lowest onset temperature of 521°C and limiting impact energy of 16.67 J were found for the composition containing 64% of potassium perchlorate (KClO4), 33% aluminium (Al) and 3% graphite (C). The highest exothermic energy of 936 J/g was released for pyrotechnic composition consisting of 72% potassium perchlorate (KClO4), 25% aluminium (Al) and 3% graphite (C), which is close to the exothermic energy release of 910 J/g for pyrotechnic composition consisting 64% potassium perchlorate (KClO4), 33% aluminium (Al) and 3% graphite (C). Potassium chloride (KCl) was generated after the exothermic reaction, which was confirmed from the endothermic peak at around 773°C.