Thermal decomposition of titanium hydride in argon

The specific surface of the powder was 0.455 m/sup 2//g and the mean particle diameter was 5 ..mu..m. The decomposition kinetics was studied under nonisothermal conditions at a temperature change rate of 20/sup 0/C/min. Temperatures ranged from room temperature to 1000/sup 0/C both under static conditions and in an argon stream with 50 cc/min gas flow rate. Corresponding differential thermal analysis and thermal gravimetric analysis curves were obtained in both cases. The standard was aluminum oxide, subjected to prior roasting. NMR spectroscopy was used to study the state of hydrogen in the hydride lattice both at room temperature and upon heating. The results indicate the complexity of the thermal decomposition of the compound in argon as a consequence of two hydrogen positions with different bond energies in the crystal lattice. 3 figures.