Hazard characterization of KDNBF using a variety of different techniques

New results are presented on the thermal stability of the primary explosive, the potassium salt of 4,6-dinitrobenzofuroxan (KDNBF) and on the mechanism of its decomposition. The new work complements and extends previous work done in our laboratory. The thermal decomposition of KDNBF has now been studied using a wide variety of experimental techniques: differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC), heat flow calorimetry (HFC) and simultaneous thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA). The latter technique is coupled in our laboratory to FTIR and mass spectrometers to provide a very powerful method where the reaction products, the mass change and the temperature difference between the sample and reference can be monitored simultaneously as the material is decomposed.