Gun Propulsion Concepts. Part II: Solid and Liquid Propellants

Abstract

The present paper deals with both the conventional solid propellant and modern liquid propellant gun concepts. Solid propellant guns, known since the 14th century, are still being investigated, although this concept represents a relative mature technology. Thus any progress is predominantly a refinement of existing techniques. Comparatively, liquid propellant gun research and development address a rather new technique and invoke some improvements over conventional solid propellant systems. Especially, automatic system are easier to design, artillery zoning is more easily achieved, cartridge disposal is avoided, and high‐energetic liquid propellants or special system designs offer higher performance. Therefore, the liquid propellant gun technology seems to be a near‐term technology that, complementary to solid propellant gun concepts, might play a role in future armament.

Influence of Carbon Nanofibers on Thermal and Mechanical Properties of NC‐TEGDN‐RDX Triple‐Base Gun Propellants

“…Gun propellants composed of oxidizers, binders and plasticizers are widely used in a variety of conventional gun and artillery fields [1][2][3][4][5]. Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX)based gun propellants is a typical highly energetic propellants which are made of nitrocellulose (NC), triethylene glycol dinitrate (TEGDN) and RDX [6][7][8].…”

Combining the Advantages of Tetrazoles and 1,2,3‐Triazoles: 4,5‐Bis(tetrazol‐5‐yl)‐1,2,3‐triazole, 4,5‐Bis(1‐hydroxytetrazol‐5‐yl)‐1,2,3‐triazole, and their Energetic Derivatives

“…Conventional gun propellants are classified as single-[nitrocellulose (NC)],d ouble-[NC, nitroglycerin (NG)],a nd triple-base [NC, NG, nitroguanidine (NQ)]p ropellants, whichf urthermore contain additives such as plasticiz-ers, stabilizers, deterring agents, and flash-suppressors. [9] The primaryc hallenges are theo ngoing enhancement of the gun propellant performance and performance issues such as gun barrel erosion, blast, environmental issues, and lifespan. [10] In low-vulnerability (LOVA) propellants, the amounts of NC, NG, and NQ are reduced and an energetic filler (mostly RDX) is incorporated in the NC matrix, whereby the energy output is improved.…”

“…[10] In low-vulnerability (LOVA) propellants, the amounts of NC, NG, and NQ are reduced and an energetic filler (mostly RDX) is incorporated in the NC matrix, whereby the energy output is improved. [9,11] Unfortunately,t he higherp ercentage of RDX leads to higherc ombustion temperatures and thus leadingt op roblems with erosion of the gun barrel. [12] Therefore, the amount of RDX is reduced and instead high nitrogen-rich compounds are added to afford erosion-reduced propellant mixtures.…”

Theoretical and Experimental Study of the Interior Ballistics of a Rifle 7.62

“…"A conventional gun is essentially a heat engine in which the propellant contained or injected in the gun chamber is ignited and combusted, transferring its chemical energy into kinetic energy of the projectile" (Maag and Klingenberg, 1996). The interior ballistics is the science devoted to study the processes inside this heat engine.…”