The thermal decomposition of RDX at temperatures below the melting point. IV. Catalysis of the decomposition by formaldehyde

Abstract

The kinetics of the decomposition of RDX have been investigated in the presence of formaldehyde over the temperature range 170-197° with the RDX sample spread. This indicated a marked increase in the positive- catalytic effect of the formaldehyde with decreasing reaction temperature; however, the kinetics were not altered by the added formaldehyde.     The activation energy was about 44 kcal mol^-1. It is suggested that the previously obtained activation energy of about this figure, for the decomposition of heaped samples of RDX in the absence of added formaldehyde, was due to catalysis of the reaction by the decomposition product formaldehyde.