The effect of metal oxide particle size on the thermal behavior and ignition kinetic of Mg-CuO thermite mixture

It was found that the replacement of 180 nm CuO with 50 nm CuO as oxidizer increases the energy output and decreases the ignition temperature and activation energy of Mg/CuO thermite. Moreover, the de-agglomeration of CuO particles increases the heat of reaction and decreases activation energy of μm-Mg/180 nm CuO thermite (in the conversion range of 0.1 ≤ α ≤ 0.5). It was also observed that the melting of magnesium changes the activation energy of μm-Mg/180 nm CuO mixtures at end of the reaction.