SODIUM PERCHLORATE

Sodium perchlorate is the inorganic compound with the formula NaClO4. It is the most soluble
of the common perchlorate salts. It is a white crystalline, hygroscopic solid that is highly soluble
in water and in alcohol. It usually comes as the monohydrate, which has a rhombic crystal
structure.[1]

Its heat of formation is −382.75 kJ mol−1

USES

Sodium perchlorate is the precursor to many other perchlorate salts, often taking advantage of
their low solubility relative to NaClO4 (209 g/100 mL at 25 °C). Perchloric acid is made by
treating NaClO4 with HCl.

NaClO4 finds only minimal use in pyrotechnics because it is hygroscopic; ammonium and
potassium perchlorates are preferred. They are made by double decomposition from a solution of
sodium perchlorate and potassium or ammonium chlorides

SOLUBIBLITY IN WATER

209.6 g/100 mL at 25 °C
AMMONIUM PERCHLORATE

Ammonium perchlorate is an inorganic compound with the formula NH4ClO4. It is the salt of
perchloric acid and ammonium hydroxide. All perchlorates are potentially powerful oxidizers,
but ammonium perchlorate is especially labile.

PRODUCTION

It is produced by reaction between ammonia and perchloric acid, and is the driver behind the
industrial production of perchloric acid. It also can be prepared by treatment of ammonium salts
with sodium perchlorate. This process exploits the fact that the solubility of NH4ClO4 is about
10% of that for sodium perchlorate.

It crystallises in colorless rhombohedra.

DECOMPOSITION

Like most ammonium salts, AP decomposes before melting. Mild heating results in chlorine,
nitrogen, oxygen, and water.
2 NH4ClO4 → Cl2 + N2 + 2 O2 + 4 H2O

The combustion of AP is quite complex and is widely studied. Ammonium perchlorate crystals
decompose before melting, even though a thin liquid layer has been observed on crystal surface
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.

OTHER APPLICATION

When AP is mixed with a fuel (like a powdered aluminum and/or with an elastomeric binder) it
can generate self-sustained combustion also far under atmospheric pressure. It is an important
oxidizer with a decades-long history of use in solid rocket propellants--space space launch,
military, amateur, and hobby high powered rockets--as well as in some fireworks.

Some "breakable" epoxy adhesives contain suspensions of AP. Upon heating to 300°C, the AP
degrades the organic adhesive, breaking the cemented joint
SOLUBILITY IN WATER

11.56 g/100 mL (0 °C)

20.85 g/100 mL (20 °C)
57.01 g/100 mL (100 °C)