Effects of X- and Γ-Ray Radiation on the Thermal Decomposition of Solid Orthorhombic Ammonium Perchlorate. I. Experimental and Results

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The thermal decomposition kinetics of unirradiated, x‐ray and gamma‐ray irradiated orthorhombic ammonium perchlorate have been determined in the temperature range of 193°–238°C. Both millimeter size and powdered crystals were used. When all of the decomposition gases are allowed to collect, the pressure vs time curves consist of the following stages: First, an induction stage with a puff or burst superimposed on it; second, an acceleratory stage followed by a third, or decay, stage. When only the noncondensable gases, i.e., gases not condensed in a trap at −23°C or lower, are allowed to accumulate, the puff or burst, but not the induction period, is eliminated. Irradiation prior to decomposition reduces the induction period and increases the acceleratory period decomposition rate. Both of these effects increase as the dose is increased. If the decomposition is interrupted before the decay period, the sample irradiated with a fixed gamma‐ray dose, and the decomposition resumed, the following changes occur in the pressure vs time curves. First, the decomposition proceeds along the curve for unirradiated material but only for a constant period of time equivalent to the induction period for irradiated material. Second, at the end of this period, the decomposition rate abruptly increases to the approximate value obtained for irradiated material. The subsequent decay stage is similar to that observed with irradiated crystals. In addition to the kinetic studies the decomposition gases were analyzed with a mass spectrometer and preliminary measurements made on the low‐temperature thermoluminescence of gamma‐ray irradiated material.

This publication has 16 references indexed in Scilit: