Decomposition
Like most ammonium salts, ammonium perchlorate decomposes before melting. Mild heating results in the evolution of chlorine, nitrogen, oxygen, and water.
- 2 NH4ClO4 → Cl2 + N2 + 2 O2 + 4 H2O
The combustion of AP is quite complex and is widely studied. AP crystals decompose before melting, even though a thin liquid layer has been observed on crystal surfaces during high-pressure combustion processes. Strong heating may lead to explosions. Complete reactions leave no residue. Pure crystals cannot sustain a flame below the pressure of 20 bar (2 MPa).
AP is a Class 4 oxidizer (can undergo an explosive reaction) for particle sizes over 15 micrometres and is classified as an explosive for particle sizes less than 15 micrometres.
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