Detecting Mechanochemical Degradation of Nitrocellulose by Combining Dynamic Mechanical Analysis with Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Summary: Dynamic mechanical analysis is combined with mass spectrometry to study nitrocellulose under oscillating strain. At a constant temperature (150–160 °C) and frequency (400–600 Hz) nitrocellulose fractures demonstrating a modulus drop and release of products with m/z: 30 and 44. At linear heating (2 °C · min−1) and a frequency of 10–50 Hz similar products are released in two steps, the second of which demonstrates a modulus drop and a temperature increase indicating ignition.Data for an isothermal dynamic mechanical analysis–mass spectrometry experiment performed at 160 °C.imageData for an isothermal dynamic mechanical analysis–mass spectrometry experiment performed at 160 °C.

Thermal Analysis

“…The value of the technique is demonstrated by quantification of overlapping components in the TGA effluent. Vyazovkin et al (31) have combined DMA with mass spectrometry that provided a new technique for studying mechanochemical effects in degradation of polymeric materials.…”

“…The main reaction products were found to be magnesium hydroxide and strontium nitrite, whose amounts have been correlated with the cumulative heats of aging. Vyazovkin et al (31) have combined DMA with mass spectrometry to study mechanochemical effects in decomposition of nitrocellulose under oscillating strain. At a constant temperature (150-160 °C) and frequency (400-600 Hz) nitrocellulose fractures, demonstrating a modulus drop and release of products with m/z ) 30.…”