Preliminary Studies on the Thermal Decomposition and the Compatibility of RDX-AP Mixtures

The thermal decomposition characteristics of RDX-AP mixtures were studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA). The kinetic parameters of thermal decomposition were calculated with Kissinger method, and the compatibility of the mixtures was discussed. The experimental results showed that the activation energy of the decomposition reaction of RDX-AP mixture increased as AP was added into RDX. This means an increase in the thermal stability of the mixtures. The summit temperature of decomposition peak of RDX was lowered about 30C when the content of AP was equal to or greater than 8%. Compared with the decomposition rate constants of RDX at different temperature, it showed that AP made the decomposition rate of RDX-AP mixture increase obviously at high temperature, and lower the value at normal temperature. The decomposition rate constants of pyrotechnic agents with characteristics of decomposition can be taken as criteria for evaluating the compatibility rapidly.