Simulation of Fe2O3/AlFe2O3/Al combustion: Sensitivity analysis

The sensitivity of a one-dimensional model, built to simulate the non-steady radial combustion propagation on thin circular samples of Fe2O3/aluminiumFe2O3/aluminium thermite mixtures, was tested in relation to its least reliable thermophysical properties and to non-homogeneities in the initial reactant media. Zero order kinetics and conductive/radiative heat transfer were considered. The model is quite insensitive to variations of most of the properties studied. The highest sensitivity detected concerned aluminium conductivity. The non-uniform reactant mixing significantly affected the results, suggesting that experimental variability is partially explained by this feature.