A new way to estimate the thermal decomposition mechanism function and thermal safety of RDX

The data by DSC and TG and Malek method were applied to research the thermal decomposition of RDX. By using the DSC technique, the thermal decomposition characteristic parameters of RDX were obtained: onset temperature( T_e0 ), inflection temperature(T₁) , peak temperature(T_p), final temperature(T_f), decomposition enthalpy (ΔH), apparent activation energy(E), pre-exponential factor (A), reaction order(n), the critical temperature of thermal explosion(T_b) and self-accelerating decomposition temperature(T_SADT). By using the TG technique, the thermal decomposition characteristic parameters of RDX were obtained: onset decomposition temperature (T₀), mass loss in stages (Δm%), the maximum mass loss speed and corresponding temperature, final residual quantity, reaction depth, reaction rate and so on. The results show that RDX presents an endothermic peak in the first thermal process, and then, a fierce exothermic peak, showing that first melting takes place and then decomposes, and the complete decomposition. The mechanism obtained calculated by the thermal analysis data and the Malek method is: three dimensional diffusion and function is Ginstling-Brounstein equation f(α) = (3/2)[(l -α)^-1/3-1]^-1. And its safety was discussed.