Pyrolysis behavior and micromorphology investigation on aluminum based solid-liquid compound fuel

The compatibility, stability and the pyrolysis behavior of aluminum based solid-liquid compound fuel were systematically investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The compound fuel lost its 30% weight before the temperature rose to 150°C. AP decomposed at 210°C and lead to 50% weight loss. The reaction between aluminum and oxygen was accelerated at 660°C since the melting of solid combustible agent. The total weight loss after 1000°C pyrolysis is about 80% for nitrogen atmosphere. On the contrary, the total weight loss for oxygen atmosphere is approximate 70% because of the generation of aluminum oxide. The microscopic structures and the elementary composition of the pyrolysis products were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The structures of the products after 200°C pyrolysis are spherical and flaky. All these structures are destroyed after 1000°C pyrolysis. Instead, massive structures were found in the products. Aluminum is the main element in the final pyrolysis products for all conditions. The second-most element in the product for nitrogen atmosphere is carbon. Carbon deposited accompany with the decomposition of paraffin or other organic components. The second-most element in the product for oxygen atmosphere is oxygen. This conclusion is attributed to the formation of aluminum oxide.