Cellulose nitrate, ignition

Cellulose Nitrate. High-surface-area cellulose nitrate ignites spontaneously on contact with morpholine.3... 

When aliphatic amines come into contact with cellulose nitrate, this gives rise to charring without ignition. If these amines are replaced by polyamines or amino-alcohols, the mixture combusts spontaneously. 

The analytical use of cellulose fibre to absorb uranyl nitrate solution prior to ignition has led to explosions dining ignition, owing to formation of cellulose nitrate. An alternative method is described. 

Cellulose nitrate is very easily ignited and bums very rapidly or explosively, depending on the degree of confinement, degree of nitration and state of subdivision. Unless very pure and stabilised, it deteriorates in storage and may ignite... 

Subsequent tests in which small portions of these undiluted liquid amines and dried cellulose nitrate linters were contacted (with a little added butyl acetate for the solid phenol) under various conditions, gave ignition with the first 3 amines, and exotherms to 110°C with foaming decomposition for the remaining 4. Other amine resin components showed slight or no exotherms in either test [2], Contact of cellulose nitrate with a little butylamine caused explosive reaction [3]. 

During roller-blending to disperse iron red pigment (iron(III) oxide) into plasticised cellulose nitrate, the mixture became a gel after 15 passes and tended to self-ignite. 

To broaden the scope of his interests, he spent another year as a postdoctoral fellow in the Physics Department of Pennsylvania State University, working on the X-ray analysis of biological compounds. Equipped with an exceptionally broad and multidisciplinary education and experience, he proceeded to The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, to work with Professor M. L. Wolfrom. His initial job was to investigate the ignition of cellulose nitrate, a project left over from World War II. In Fred s hands, this project was turned into an isotopic investigation of the biosynthesis and degradation of cellulose. At this time, there was very little known about the preparation of specifically labeled sugars, let alone the biosynthesis of... 

SAFETY PROFILE Moderately toxic by ingestion and skin contact, A skin and eye irritant. Very flammable when exposed to heat, flame, or oxidizers. Reaction with 1,2-dichloroethane produces explosive acetylene gas. This and other amines ignite on contact with cellulose nitrate of high surface area. 

SAFETY PROFILE Poison by ingesdon and subcutaneous routes. Moderately toxic by skin contact and inhalation. Corrosive. A severe skin and eye irritant. Mutation data reported. Flammable liquid when exposed to heat or flame can react with oxidizing materials. To fight fire, use alcohol foam, foam, CO2, dry chemical. Exothermic reaction with cellulose nitrate does not proceed to ignition. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NOx. 

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