Ignition and combustion characteristics of molded amorphous boron under different oxygen pressures

Ignition and combustion characteristics of amorphous boron (B) have received much attention from researchers in recent decades. A pressurized concentrated ignition experimental system was designed to evaluate the ignition and combustion characteristics of molded B samples. The ignition experiments were carried out under different oxygen pressures (1-9 atm). The condensed combustion products were then analyzed using a scanning electron microscope, an X-ray energy dispersive spectrometer, and an X-ray diffractometer. Furthermore, the complete oxidation rates of the samples were detected by inductively coupled plasma chromatography. As the oxygen pressure increased, the combustion intensity of the samples steadily increased, and the ignition delay time and combustion time both decreased. Under the oxygen pressure of 9 atm, the average ignition delay time and combustion time were 2640 ms and 2596 ms, respectively, and the highest combustion temperature reached 1561.5 °C. The initial diffusion flame on the sample surface was green and the brightest, which was produced by an intermediate combustion product, BO2 (corresponding molecular emission spectrum wavelength, 547.3 nm). Emission spectra of another intermediate product, BO (431.9 nm) was also detected. Two different types of structures were found in the condensed combustion products of the samples. The first type was the flaky B2O3 structure, and the second type was the flocculent structure of incomplete combustion products. The B2O3 content in the condensed combustion products increased with the oxygen pressure during combustion. The complete oxidation ratio of the samples also increased with the oxygen pressure, and reached the maximum value of 68.71% under 9 atm. Overall, the samples showed better ignition and combustion characteristics under higher oxygen pressure.