Combustion of Thermite TiO2/ZrO2–Ca Mixtures in Nitrogen Gas

Combustion of thermite TiO2/ZrO2–Ca mixtures in nitrogen gas was studied upon variation in green composition and nitrogen pressure P in the presence/absence of added calcium iodate Ca(IO3)2. The addition of calcium iodate was found to increase combustion temperature and extend combustibility limits. For compositions in which calcium was completely replaced by calcium nitride Ca3N2, the combustion temperature decreased with increasing P. The combustion of ZrO2 was found to proceed in two stages, the first stage being associated with the decomposition and gasification of calcium iodate.