Kinetic analysis and self-accelerating decomposition temperature (SADT) of dicumyl peroxide

• Activation energy obtained by Friedman method varied from 203 to 161 kJ mol−1.
• We calculated the mechanism model for DCP with Malek method.
• The mechanism function of DCP's thermal decomposition was first provided.
• SADT values were simulated to be 89–84 °C in 25–2000 kg packages.

Currently, dicumyl peroxide (DCP)’s thermal hazard studies mainly focus on kinetic parameters upon an assumptive n-order reaction equation. This paper aimed to obtain activation energy E with the model free method, Friedman, based on data from differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). We employed Malek method to calculate the most probable mechanism model for decomposition of DCP. After comparing the simulated temperature history with adiabatic experimental curve, we found these kinetic parameters were suitable for simulation of DCP's decomposition. Therefore, the self-accelerating decomposition temperature (SADT) of DCP was predicted with AKTS software. The SADT values of 25–2000 kg packages DCP varied from 89 to 84 °C. Our calculations give clearness to the decomposition kinetic model of DCP and provide a variation range of E values. Meanwhile, the SADTs can guide temperature control for transportation.