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Title: Activation energy of tantalum-tungsten oxide thermite reactions

Journal Article · · Combustion and Flame
;  [1]; ;  [1]
  1. Physical and Life Sciences Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, CA (United States)

The activation energy of a sol-gel (SG) derived tantalum-tungsten oxide thermite composite was determined using the Kissinger isoconversion method. The SG derived powder was consolidated using the high-pressure spark plasma sintering (HPSPS) technique at 300 and 400 C. The ignition temperatures were investigated under high heating rates (500-2000 C min{sup -1}). Such heating rates were required in order to ignite the thermite composite. Samples consolidated at 300 C exhibit an abrupt change in temperature response prior to the main ignition temperature. This change in temperature response is attributed to the crystallization of the amorphous WO{sub 3} in the SG derived Ta-WO{sub 3} thermite composite and not to a pre-ignition reaction between the constituents. Ignition temperatures for the Ta-WO{sub 3} thermite ranged from approximately 465 to 670 C. The activation energies of the SG derived Ta-WO{sub 3} thermite composite consolidated at 300 and 400 C were determined to be 38{+-} 2 kJ mol{sup -1} and 57 {+-} 2 kJ mol{sup -1}, respectively. (author)

OSTI ID:
21396164
Journal Information:
Combustion and Flame, Vol. 158, Issue 1; Other Information: Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved; ISSN 0010-2180
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English