Characterisation of the Thermal and Chemical Effects of Energetic Materials not Likely to Detonate

Abstract

Energetic materials encompass a wide range of chemical compounds all associated with a significant risk of fire and explosion. They include explosives, pyrotechnic materials, powders, fertilizers and other unsteady chemicals. These materials store a high level of chemical energy and are able to release it rapidly without external contribution of oxygen or other oxidizer. The aim of this work is the analysis of thermal and chemical characteristics of energy-rich materials under conditions that exclude detonations in order to better isolate the mechanisms involved in the burning process. The fire behaviour of energetic materials differs from that of classic solid fuels mainly due to the internal supply of oxidizer. This peculiarity precludes the use of established techniques as oxygen consumption calorimetry to study its fire performance.