OXYGEN EVOLUTION FROM KCLO3 CATALYZED BY METAL-OXIDES AS AIR BAG INFLATORS

Oxygen evolution during thermal decomposition of potassium chlorate was studied using 23 kinds of metal oxides as catalysts. Pure potassium chlorate metals at 350-degrees-C and then decomposes at 635-degrees-C. Addition of metal oxides to the chlorate lowered the decomposition temperature to some extent, through the melting temperature did not change. Thus, the metal oxides added work as catalysts for the decomposition of the molten potassium chlorate, resulting in oxygen evolution at lower temperatures. The metal oxides used here were clearly classified into three groups, depending on the extents of decrease in the decomposition temperature.