Michinori Takizuka, Toshio Onda, Takuo Kuwahara, and Naminosuke Kubota
ABSTRACT: The thermochemical characteristics of pyrolants composed of titanium (Ti) and carbon (C) were studied in order to develop high energy release materials used for igniters and fireworks. Since the Ti and C reaction occurs only at temperatures above 1200 K, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was mixed with the Ti/C pyrolants as an oxidizer. Various types of experiments were performed to gain information on the role of each ingredient. The results, measured by differential thermal analysis and thermal gravimetry, indicated that PTFE melts at about 605 K and reacts exothermically at about 830 K with Ti. The burning rate of the pyrolants increases as the mixing ratio of Ti and C approaches the stoichiometric ratio, (i.e., the burning rate increases as the adiabatic flame temperature increases within the range of the samples tested). Since the reaction starts from the surface of the Ti particles, the burning rate increases as the total surface area of the Ti particles increases.
Keywords: pyrolant, titanium, carbon, polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE
Ref: JPyro, Issue 10, 1999, pp45-48
(J10_45)
© Journal of Pyrotechnics and CarnDu Ltd
