Thermal Decomposition and Heat Release Process

The heat produced by the reaction of a pyrolant is dependent on various physicochemical properties, such as the chemical nature of the fuel and oxidizer, the fractions in which they are mixed, and their physical shapes and sizes. Metal particles are commonly used as fuel components of pyrolants. When a metal particle is oxidized by gaseous oxidizer fragments, an oxide layer is formed that coats the particle. If the melting point of the oxide layer is higher than that of the metal particle, the metal oxide layer prevents further supply of the oxidizer fragments to the metal, and so the oxidation remains incomplete. If, however, the melting point of the oxide layer is lower than that of the metal particle, the oxide layer is easily removed and the oxidation reaction can continue. 

When metal oxide particles are used as oxidizers, metal particles are used as fuel components. Since the melting point and gasification temperatures of metal oxide particles are very high, the oxidation reaction only occurs when the metal particles 

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