Lead azide thermal ignition temperature

Figure 21. The relationship between light energy for ignition and temperature for lead azide [119]. The solid line gives the experimental curve the dotted line connects the value for the ignition energy at 20° C and the point on the temperature axis corresponding to the thermal ignition temperature.

Lead picrate is considered highly sensitive to mechanical impact and thermal stimuli [6]. The anhydride is more sensitive to mechanical stimuli than the hydrates. Impact sensitivity of anhydride is significantly higher than the sensitivity of mercury fulminate (4 cm/0.5 kg vs. 24 cm for MF) [7,8]. Handling of lead picrate anhydride represents the same level of risk as handling of lead styphnate. The ignition temperature is 281 °C (explosion takes place instantaneously or within 1 s) [7]. The formation of lead picrate by reaction of tetryl (which decomposes to picric acid) with lead azide is reported as a possible reason for the higher sensitivity of this mixture compared to pure LA [6]. 

Lead azide is a primary explosive with exceptionally high thermal stability. The ignition temperature of LA is relatively high, 330 °C at a heating rate of... 

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