Ammonium Perchlorate for Military Use

Ammonium perchlorate is an inorganic component produced by the reaction of ammonia and perchloric acid. It can also be produced by salt metathesis reaction of ammonium salts and sodium perchlorate.

The result of this reaction is a crystallisation of ammonium perchlorate, its original rhombohedra form. It turns to be a colourless and odourless compound. It’s usually produced in big quantities due to its use as a propellant in the aerospace industry, mainly as rocket fuel when combined with aluminium and a binder producing rocket fuel propellant. But it also has a big purpose on the military especially in rockets and the defence department.

Its use in the military industry is widely familiar. However, the amount of ammonium perchlorate used in military applications, is unknown in many countries and it has become a confidential matter for its own citizens and the rest of countries. Therefore, it can be difficult to trace in many cases.

Ammonium perchlorate is used in military solid-propellant rockets. These rockets have a similar goal to space rockets which is escaping from the Earth’s gravity by being propelled into airspace. To do so, these rockets contain ammonium perchlorate composite propellant, a common chemical mixture of ammonium perchlorate combined with a fuel often aluminium and a binder that joins these components together. In some cases, it can also contain a catalyst which speeds the burning, depending on the type of rocket we want to build and the trajectory we want it to take. Once together, these components are burned by igniting the reaction that will provoke that quick thrust in the rocket.

How does ammonium perchlorate composite propellant react?

Once the mixture is ignited by burning, the oxygen coming for the ammonium perchlorate gets in touch with a metal, often aluminium and this releases aluminium oxide, aluminium chloride, water vapor as well as nitrogen. The gases generate such energy that lift the rocket boosters in an upward thrust. After two minutes, these rockets never leave the Earth since they are made to reach an altitude of around 65km and then fall back to Earth.

Precautions to use ammonium perchlorate

Ammonium perchlorate is a salt that does not provoke dangerous explosive reactions when it’s ignited. However, it can be hazardous to health when it gets in contact with the skin or eyes or breathed in, in these cases it can cause an important irritation. Another situation in which it’s important to be careful when producing or using ammonium perchlorate is when it is contaminated with other elements and in contact with metals. When this combination is ignited by accident it can provoke a highly explosive reaction very difficult to stop. For that reason, very few companies can manufacture this component as they have to comply all the security measures demanded by governments and security agencies. Moreover, any chemical component such as ammonium perchlorate must be compelled to the quality regulations that ensure that the chemical you are going to use is in perfect condition and it’s on its purest form available.