Thermal decomposition behavior, kinetics, thermal safety and burning characteristics of guanidinium-5-aminotetrazole (GA) based propellants

Guanidinium-5-aminotetrazole (GA) was synthesized by mixing 5-aminotetrazole (5-AT) and guanidine carbonate in heated deionized water. The composite propellants containing GA and differential oxidizers (Sr(NO3)2, KNO3, NaNO3) were prepared, and its structural characteristics, thermal decomposition behavior, kinetics, thermal safety and burning characteristics were investigated. The thermal analysis results showed that the decomposition of GA based propellants could be separated into five stages, consisting of one phase change reaction, one exothermic reaction and three endothermic reactions. The reaction mechanisms of each decomposition stage were also researched and considered it was following reaction order models. The thermal safety evaluations were conducted using the obtained related parameters of the exothermic reaction. Combined with the burning characteristics measurement results, GA coupled with Sr(NO3)2 represented a higher thermal safety and more stale combustion process than other two propellant samples, which is also act as a promising formulation to substitute 5-AT based propellant in fire-fighting area.