Measurements of impact-ignition sensitivity and studies of the relative reactivity of t-butoxy and t-butyl peroxy radicals toward a variety of organic compounds reveal improved methods of selection of materials for safe use in a liquid oxygen environment

Chamberlain, D.

Irwin, K.

Kirshen, N.

Mill, T.

Stringham, R.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

June 1970	 Brief 70-10285 
n
	
NASA TECH BRIEF 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage commercial 
application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the Clearinghouse for Federal Scientific and Technical 
Information, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Division, NASA, Code UT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Investigation of the Reactivity of Organic Materials

in Liquid Oxygen 
Many materials present an explosion hazard when 
subjected to impact, heat, or other sources of energy 
while in contact with liquid oxygen (LOX). The selec-
tion of materials for safe use in a LOX environment 
has previously been based on an arbitrary impact 
test. A research program has been conducted to define 
improved methods of selection, based on more com-
plete knowledge of the mechanisms of ignition of 
materials in the presence of liquid oxygen. The pro-
gram consisted of two phases, the first concerned with 
measurements of impact-ignition sensitivity using a 
modified drop-weight tester, and the second con-
cerned with the relative reactivity of t-butoxy and 
t-butyl peroxy radicals toward a variety of organic 
compounds. 
In the first phase, for 18 of the 24 compounds tested, 
a positive correlation was found between ignition 
sensitivity and, flash point. Five other compounds 
exhibited a correlation between sensitivity and chemi-
cal reactivity in auto-oxidation. Similar results were 
obtained when the same group of compounds was 
subjected to hot-wire ignition tests. Fire retardant 
compounds (e.g., dibromomethane) were shown to 
reduce the ignition sensitivity when added to various 
of the tested compounds. High-speed photography of
the impact ignition of benzyl alcohol provided evi-
dence for a point-source (hot-spot) ignition mecha-
nism. 
In the second phase, a good correlation was ob-
served between relative reactivity of both radicals 
toward five hydrocarbons. However, the correlation 
for four aliphatic hydrocarbon derivatives was not 
as good, suggesting that differing electronic require-
ments for these compounds is the major factor govern-
ing reactivity. 
Note: 
Requests for further information may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
Huntsville, Alabama 35812 
Reference: TSP70-10285 
Patent status: 
No patent action is contemplated by NASA. 
Source: T. Mill, D. Chamberlain, 
R. Stringham, N. Kirshen, 
and K. Irwin of 
Stanford Research Institute 
under contract to 
Marshall Space Flight Center 
(M FS-20576) 
Category 04 
-.
This document was prepared under the sponsorship of the National 	 Government assumes any liability resulting from the use of the 
Aeronautics and Space Administration. Neither the United States 	 information contained in this document, or warrants that such use 
Government nor any person acting on behalf of the United States 	 will be free from privately owned.rights.
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19700000274 2020-03-17T00:17:51+00:00Z


Investigation of the reactivity of organic materials in liquid oxygen

Abstract

Similar works

Full text

Available Versions

NASA Technical Reports Server