A comparative study of thermal behaviors and kinetics analysis of the pyrotechnic compositions containing Mg and Al

The purpose of this research is to analyze the thermal behavior and kinetics of the pyrotechnic compositions including Al + KClO4, Mg + KClO4, Al + Mg + KClO4, MgAl + KClO4 and Al + MgAl + KClO4 mixtures. The differential scanning calorimeter coupled with thermogravimetry analysis was employed to illustrate the reaction process of these pyrotechnic compositions. Moreover, the bomb calorimetry was utilized to compare experimental and theoretical heats of reaction. The apparent activation energy (E (a)), frequency factor (A), the critical ignition temperature of thermal explosion and the self-accelerating decomposition temperature (T (SADT)), were calculated using Kissinger approach. The results showed that the composition containing MgAl had the highest activation energy and frequency factor; however, the critical ignition temperature of their oxidation reaction was lowest value. In agreement with the theoretical value, the highest experimental heat of reaction for the composition MgAl/KClO4 corresponds to the more complete combustion of metastable MgAl as an alloying mixture of Aluminum and Magnesium with equal proportions. These results suggest that benchmark values for an optimum designation and issues pertinent to the storage and handling of pyrotechnics containing Mg, Al and KClO4.