Thermo-kinetic studies on azodicarbonamide/potassium periodate airbag gas generants

Abstract

In this study, thermal characterisation of stoichiometric azodicarbonamide/potassium periodate (C2H4O2N4/KIO4) fuel/oxidizer mixtures were systematically carried out for potential application as non azide non-toxic airbag gas generants. The onset temperature of the mixture was found to be 190°C. The thermo-kinetic studies of the mixture and pure azodicarbonamide compositions at different heating rates were also carried out using Ozawa and Kissinger method and the Arrhenius parameters were computed. The activation energy of the C2H4O2N4/KIO4 mixture by Ozawa method was found to be 81.5kJ mol−1 and 78.9kJmol−1 by Kissinger method. It was found that the activation energy of the pure azodicarbonamide was higher compared to the mixture. Ballistic tank tests to obtain the pressure Vs time plots were also done and the mixture gave time response of 45.2ms and 55.54ms to peak pressure. The experimental results have shown that C2H4O2N4/KIO4 mixture can be used as a replacement to existing azide based airbag gas generant compositions. Thus, the paper attempts to thermally characterize a non-toxic C2H4O2N4/KIO4 airbag gas generant mixture which can replace toxic azide based airbag gas generants and thereby facilitate safer driving.