THERMAL DECOMPOSITION KINETICS OF SOLID HMX (OCTAHYDRO-1,3,5,7-TETRANITRO-1,3,5,7-TETRAZOCINE)

摘要

Open system thermal analysis of the decomposition of HMX was analyzed using a model-free isoconversional method. This yields a consistent set of kinetic parameters, with a global activation energy of 157 +- 11 kJ/mole and is essentially independent of the extent of reaction. This observation appears to rule out the possibility that chemical autocatalysis is responsible for the observed acceleration in the rate of decomposition of HMX. Scanning electron micrographs show that HMX crystals become highly porous during decomposition below the melting point. This porosity leads to an increase in the surface area of the crystal available for reaction and accounts for the apparently autocatalytic nature of the reaction.