Morphology and elemental composition of whiskers of potassium carbonate in a pyrotechnic flame

Pyrotechnic aerosol-forming compositions are effective fire-extinguishing agents due to the high specific surface area of the dispersed particles formed. During combustion, the initial products of the composition turn into dispersed particles in the flame zone with sharp temperature gradients. The initial products of the composition are converted into dispersed particles in the flame zone with sharp temperature gradients. The maximum particle size distribution function is 3 µm. It is not possible to obtain a similar ensemble of dispersed particles by other physico-mechanical methods. Potassium carbonate as one of the target products is formed in the form of melt particles. Crystallization of potassium carbonate starts from the outside of the melt drop and ends with the formation of crystals with a developed surface. If the integrity of the crystal shell is violated due to a collision with the body of the sampler, the melt crystallizes with the formation of whiskers. Using a scanning electron microscope, the elemental composition of crystals and filamentous structures was determined as potassium carbonate. The observed phenomenon can be recommended as a method for obtaining filamentous crystals.