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At what temperature do cellulose nitrate products begin to decompose?
Suggested Answer: D
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Cellulose nitrate products begin to decompose at about 300 F (150 C). This is the temperature at which the nitrate ester bonds start to break down and release nitric acid, which further catalyzes the decomposition. The decomposition temperature depends on the nitrogen content, the stabilizers, and the external heating rate of the cellulose nitrate. Higher nitrogen content, lower stabilizer concentration, and faster heating rate lower the decomposition temperature and increase the risk of thermal runaway.
25 comments · newest first
ME
Melissia
9 months ago
Nope, it's definitely not 300 F (150 C).
BL
Blythe
10 months ago
Wait, are you sure? I thought it was lower.
KI
Kiley
10 months ago
Totally agree, that's the right temp!
MA
Marci
10 months ago
Wow, I didn't realize it was that high!
TU
Tula
11 months ago
It's 581 F (305 C) for cellulose nitrate decomposition.
WY
Wynell
11 months ago
I definitely recall something about 350 F being significant for decomposition, but I can't remember the exact details.
LA
Latosha
11 months ago
I feel like it might be around 425 F, but I could be mixing it up with another material.
CO
Cortney
11 months ago
I remember studying that it’s closer to 581 F. That seems to stick in my mind from practice questions.
RO
Rosio
11 months ago
I think cellulose nitrate starts to decompose around 300 F, but I'm not entirely sure.
CA
Carmelina
12 months ago
This is a tricky one. I'm not as familiar with the specifics of cellulose nitrate as I'd like to be. I'll have to make an educated guess and hope I can at least eliminate a couple of the options.
YO
Yolando
12 months ago
Okay, I think I can figure this out. Cellulose nitrate is a flammable compound, so the decomposition temperature is likely in the 300-500 F range. I'll review my notes and see if I can narrow it down further.
AN
Anthony
12 months ago
I'm a bit unsure about this one. I know cellulose nitrate is used in some explosives, so the decomposition temperature is probably pretty high, but I'm not sure exactly where it falls. I'll have to think it through carefully.
JA
Jarvis
1 year ago
Hmm, this seems like a pretty straightforward chemistry question. I'll need to think about the properties of cellulose nitrate and what temperature range it's likely to start decomposing.
ER
Ernest
1 year ago
Why do you think it's C)?
YO
Youlanda
1 year ago
I disagree, I believe it's C) 350 F (177 C).
EN
Enola
1 year ago
425 F (218 C) sounds about right. Anything higher and you might as well just light a match and watch the fireworks!
LY
Lynelle
1 year ago
Hmm, I remember learning that it starts to decompose at around 350 F (177 C). The nitro group makes it pretty unstable.
TR
Tracey
9 months ago
The nitro group does make it unstable, so 350 F sounds right!
LA
Launa
9 months ago
I remember it being lower, like 300 F (150 C).
DE
Delila
10 months ago
No way, it's definitely 350 F (177 C).
AL
Alyce
10 months ago
I think it's actually 425 F (218 C).
VA
Van
1 year ago
I'm pretty sure it's 300 F (150 C). Cellulose nitrate is a volatile compound, so it's gotta be the lower temperature option.
MA
Marshall
1 year ago
I'm going with 425 F (218 C).
LY
Lynda
1 year ago
I think it's 350 F (177 C).
ER
Ernest
1 year ago
I think the answer is A) 581 F (305 C).