Thermal interaction of sodium azide with aluminum and silicon oxides in a combustion regime

Thermodynamic analysis of the sodium azide-aluminum oxide system shows that aluminum in such mixtures can be reduced by a chain of successive conjugate reactions. It is shown experimentally that in the presence of small amounts of silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide reacts exothermically with sodium azide in a combustion regime to release nitrogen and form the corresponding nitrides and alumosilicates. In the three-component system containing sodium azide, aluminum oxide, and silicon oxide, the upper flammability limit (for the sodium azide content) under normal conditions is established.