Abstract
Results are given for ignition delays of ammonia-oxygen-argon mixtures after shock heating to temperatures between 1570 and 2460 °K. Three pressure regions were used (0.2 to 0.3, 3.3 to 5.3 and 27.2 to 44.4 atm). Absorption spectroscopy showed the presence of NH, OH and NO before explosion. The influence of hydrogen on the system was studied and a mechanism is proposed to explain the results obtained.