Hazard Characterization of Aluminum Nanopowder Compositions

AbstractThe thermal behaviour in air of two Al nanopowders, Alss and Alsstef, a Teflon coated version of Alss, was determined using DSC, TG‐DTA and accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC). Compared to two larger Al nanopowders, for which hazards results have been reported, Alss and Alsstef are less reactive in air, possibly due to the nature of the passivating and coating layers. The stability of Alss and Alsstef in a wet environment was also investigated using ARC. Alss is very reactive with water, which could lead to a problem of aging in a humid atmosphere. The ”coating” of Alsstef significantly reduces the reactivity of Alss with water. Outgassing behaviour of mixtures of ADN, GAP and various Al powders was investigated using TG‐DTA‐FTIR‐MS. No chemical interactions were observed between ADN/Al, GAP/Al and ADN/GAP. The effect of the addition of Al nanopowders on the thermal decomposition of ADN and GAP was studied using ARC. Al nanopowders had a minor effect on the thermal stability of ADN, while the addition of Alss and Alsstef lowered the onset temperature of GAP. The electrostatic discharge (ESD), impact and friction sensitivities of Al nanopowders and their mixtures with ADN and GAP were also determined. Al nanopowders appear to sensitize ADN to ESD, impact and friction.