Thermal decomposition and explosion of azides

Abstract

An examination has been made of the decomposition and explosion of some inorganic and organic azides which, when heated, melt before exploding. Some experiments are also described on calcium azide, barium azide and tetrazene, which explode while they are solid. The explosion of the molten azides is due to self-heating of the liquid. Explosion is facilitated by the presence of an inert gas above the decomposing liquid. During decomposition nitrogen is the main gaseous product. It is suggested that the self-heating of the liquid azides is due to the retention of hot products of reaction near the surface. The products of reaction may be either atomic nitrogen or excited molecules of nitrogen. The possibility is also discussed that the above mechanism applies to the explosion of solid azides.