THERMAL-DECOMPOSITION OF ENERGETIC MATERIALS .49. THERMOLYSIS ROUTES OF MONOTETRAZOLES AND DIAMINOTETRAZOLES

The gas products from rapid thermolysis of aminotetrazoles are discussed in terms of their potential to affect the burn rate of a composite propellant. 1,5- and 2,5-diaminotetrazole decompose by two competitive reactions. One reaction gives HCN, NH3, and N2 and the other gives NH2CN, NH3, and N2. The observed product ratios reflect the competition of these two reactions. No melamine-like cyclic azines form from the self-reaction of NH2CN because NH2CN is rapidly evolved from the sample into the cool Ar atmosphere of the cell. Noncompetitive decomposition reactions occur with 1- and 5-aminotetrazole. 1-ATZ produces HCN, NH3, and N2 while 5-ATZ produces HN3 and NH2CN. However, at 850 psia of Ar, 5-ATZ produces melamine-like cyclic azine and NH4N3 aerosols. 5-ATZ is the only aminotetrazole that produces melamine-like products upon heating of the unconfined material.