Thermal kinetics and flash DSC experimental validation of conventional nitrocellulose and ladder-structured nitrocellulose under non-isothermal condition

Abstract

To better understand the thermal decomposition mechanism of conventional nitrocellulose (NC) and ladder-structured nitrocellulose (LNC), and effectively improve their safety performance during storage and service, the NC and LNC samples were subjected to non-isothermal DSC experiments to analyze their thermal kinetics. The model-free methods and model-fitting methods were used to analyze the thermal decomposition process of NC and LNC. The reaction autocatalytic behavior is confirmed in the thermal decomposition process of NC and LNC by Friedman analysis. Considering the fitting degree and the degree of freedom of the methods and models, the composite autocatalysis reaction model is the most suitable method to describe the thermal decomposition process of NC and LNC. Furthermore, the prediction accuracy of the composite autocatalysis reaction model is validated by the Flash DSC experimental data. The error between the actual and predicted peak temperatures is only approximately 1.5 %. Based on the composite autocatalysis reaction model of NC and LNC, the process of the thermal decomposition reaction of NC and LNC is obtained with high precision for their Flash DSC experimental data. This study can provide theoretical guidance for the process control of the thermal decomposition of NC and LNC. Novelty and Significance statementThe thermal decomposition mechanism of NC and LNC is studied. The kinetic model for the thermal decomposition of NC and LNC are deduced. The thermal decomposition kinetics equations for NC and LNC is obtained. The accuracy of the thermal decomposition kinetics equations of NC and LNC in predicting thermal decomposition behavior at extremely high heating rates is verified. This study can provide theoretical guidance for the process control of the thermal decomposition of NC and LNC.