R. Meyer J. Köhler A. Homburg Explosives

261 Potassium Perchlorate
It is used as a component in pyrotechnical compositions, in inustrial
explosives, and in black power.
Table 25. Specifications
Class
1
Class
2
Class
3
net content (e.g., by
N-determination)
at least 99.5 % 99.5 % 99.5 %
moisture:
not more than 0.2 % 0.2 % 0.2 %
water-insoluble:
not more than 0.1 % 0.1 % 0.1 %
grit: none none none
acidity: 0 0 0
alkalinity: 0 0 0
chlorides as KCl:
not more than 0.07 % 0.07 % 0.07 %
chlorates and perchlorates, as
K-salt:
not more than 0.5 % 0.5 % 0.5 %
Al2O3 + Fe2O3:
not more than 0.5 % 0.5 % –
CaO + MgO:
not more than 0.5 % 0.5 % 0.5 %
Na as Na2O:
not more than 0.25 % 0.25 % –
nitrogen content:
at least 13.77 % 13.77 % 13.77 %
Potassium Perchlorate
Kaliumperchlorat; perchlorate de potassium
KClO4
colorless crystals
molecular weight: 138.6
oxygen balance: +46.2%
density: 2.52 g/cm 3
melting point: 610 °C = 1130 °F
(decomposition begins at 400 °C = 750 °F)
Potassium perchlorate is insoluble in alcohol but soluble in water. It is
prepared by reacting a soluble potassium salt with sodium perchlorate
or perchloric acid. It is employed in pyrotechnics.