The thermal decomposition of RDX at temperatures below the melting point. II. Activation energy

Abstract

The activation energy has been determined in the temperature range 170-198º. If the sample was spread the activation energy was independent of the definition of the kinetic parameter substituted in the Arrhenius equation and was 63 kcal mole^-1. In the case of the unspread samples the activation energies of the induction, acceleration, and maximum rates were 49, 43, and 62 kcal mole^-1 respectively. The effect that sample geometry has on the activation energy is attributed to gaseous decomposition products influencing the reaction.