Thermogravimetric-differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and accelerating rate calorimetry (ARC) were performed to understand thermal characteristics and kinetics of energetic N,N'-dinitro-4,4'-azo-Bis(1,2,4-triazolone) (DNZTO). A single sharp and narrow exothermic decomposition occurred at 143.3, 150.3, 156.4, 157.4, 159.8 and 160.3 degrees C at different heating rates (0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 degrees C min(-1)) suggesting that DNZTO composition was vulnerable to thermal hazard. The FTIR-TGA-MS results revealed that the decomposition product was made up of H2O, NO2, NO, CO2, CO, HCN, and N2O. ARC studies depicted onset temperature at 116.6 degrees C with temperature step of 5 C and phi factor of 41.46, and a sharp rise in exothermic reaction at 127.69 degrees C within the time span of 49.04 min with the maximum heat release rate of 0.47 degrees C min(-1). The exothermic activity resulted in adiabatic pressure rise of the sample up to 300 kPa by the sample pyrolysis into gas. In addition, the kinetic parameters of DNZTO were estimated for the thermal process by TG-DTA and ARC. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.