Studies on the Ballistic Parameters of a Deterred Triple Base Propellant Used in Large Caliber Ammunition

Abstract

In this work, the energetic plasticizer N-n-butyl-N-(2-nitroxyethyl) nitramine (Bu-NENA) was used as a deterrent coating for a triple base propellant (TBP) that finds application in large caliber guns. Closed vessel (CV) evaluation was performed to study the ballistic performance of the deterred propellant. A TBP containing nitrocellulose (NC), nitroglycerine (NG) and nitroguanidine (NQ) was coated with an energetic plasticizer using a solution of Bu-NENA. The Bu-NENA coated propellant exhibited inhibition to burning resulting in a reduction in the values of the ballistic parameters viz. (dP/dt)max, burning rate coefficient (β) and relative vivacity (RV), while the pressure index (α) and rise time were increased. The trends obtained during this work display the potential of Bu-NENA as deterrent.[27] Jeunieau, L.; Lefebvre, M.H.; Fonder, N.; Guilaume, P. Ballistic Stability and Influence of the Firing Temperature of Two Deterred Propellants.

Solid Propellant Formulations: A Review of Recent Progress and Utilized Components

“…In terms of their scale of application, SB propellants have long since been replaced by DB propellants as the most commonly used type of solid propellants. In turn, although TB propellants have found some applications, these remain rather niche, such as their application in large-caliber ammunition [6]. Composite propellants, in turn, are becoming increasingly more popular due to the extensive research effort that has been dedicated to their development over recent years [7][8][9][10].…”