Thermal decomposition and stabilization of ammonium dinitramide (ADN)

Ammonium dinitramide (ADN), NH4N(NO2)2, a new energetic compd. was investigated as a potential replacement for NH4NO3 or NH4ClO4 as an oxidizer in solid-fuel rocket propellants. The stability of pure ADN and of mixts. with 2% of different stabilizers was investigated by thermogravimetric analyses (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The DSC measurement of pure ADN showed melting onset at 91.5.degree. followed by thermal decompn. up to 200.degree.. While the addn. of 2% MgO and NaBO2 showed no effect on the thermal decompn. of ADN, the addn. of the same amt. of urotropin, 2-nitrodiphenylamine, and akardit shifted the onset of ADN thermal decompn. to higher temps.