Effect of different humectants on the thermal stability and fire hazard of nitrocellulose

In order to ensure the thermal safety of nitrocellulose (NC) mixtures in the process of handing, storage, and usage, it is necessary to obtain the thermal stability and fire hazard of NC with different humectants. In this study, the thermogravimetry experiments with four heating rates (5, 10, 15, 20 C min−1) under nitrogen and air atmospheres were performed to investigate the thermal stability of two NC-humectants, namely NC-water and NC-ethanol mixtures, and pure NC. Moreover, the influence of humectants on the fire hazard of NC was evaluated by the ISO 5660 Cone Calorimeter test. The humectant, water or ethanol, can increase the activation energy and reduce the fire risk of NC. Compared with the NC with water, the NC with ethanol exhibits lower activation energy and higher fire hazard.