Preparation and Characteristics of Foamed NC‐Based Propellants

Foaming properties of the three NC‐based (nitrocellulose‐based) propellants, namely, single‐base propellant, NG (nitroglycerine) propellant and TEGDN (triethylene glycol dinitrate) propellant were investigated in the batch foaming process by using supercritical CO₂ as the physical foaming agent. Burning characteristics of the foamed NC‐based propellants were also investigated in this work. For this study, the CO₂ desorption of the three NC‐based propellants were plotted by the gravimetric method. The morphology and burning characteristics of these foamed NC‐based propellants were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and closed vessel experiment. The test data revealed that the energetic plasticizer has a considerable effect on the pore formation in the NC matrix although it has little effect on the CO₂ solubility in the NC‐based propellants. Moreover, the SEM images showed the foaming temperature also plays an important role in the pore parameters of foamed propellants. Furthermore, the data of closed vessel experiment indicated that the burning characteristics of foamed NC‐based propellants largely depend on the pore parameters, and the porous structure of foamed propellants would considerably increase the mass conversion rate.     

泡孔结构对泡沫发射药燃烧性能的影响

通过配方调节与工艺控制得到3种不同结构的泡沫发射药,讨论了泡孔结构形成的影响因素;采用密闭爆发器实验和恒压燃速测试实验研究了不同结构泡沫发射药的燃烧性能。结果表明,控制气体生成速率、添加RDX颗粒、调节NC含氮量和发泡时间能够有效控制泡沫发射药的泡孔结构;皮芯结构泡沫发射药具有渐增燃烧特性,发泡区的动态活度可达不发泡皮层的2.4倍以上;独立泡孔结构的泡沫发射药在100MPa下燃速可达未发泡样品的30倍;非独立孔隙结构的泡沫发射药不同方向上的燃速差异显著,密度为1.37g/cm~3的样品100MPa下轴向燃速最高可达3.860m/s。     

Foamed Propellants

Foamed propellants based on polymer bonded nitramines show high conversion rates due to their porous structure. The properties of the material can be varied in a wide range by using different explosive fillers, energetic binders and porous structures. Foamed propellants with high energy content and variable burning and material characteristics can be formulated. Due to this flexibility, these propellants can be adjusted to manifold applications. The burning characteristics of these porous charges show specific differences compared to standard gun propellants, e.g. the mass conversion rates are essentially above those obtained by combustion of compact materials. In addition, the burning behavior of foamed propellants depending on pressure deviates from that expected by a straightforward use of Vieille's law. This paper presents an overview on investigations carried out in the field of foamed propellants at Fraunhofer ICT concerning thermodynamical calculations, studies on burning behavior and vulnerability.     

燃烧催化剂对太根发射药燃烧性能的影响

将燃烧催化剂引入太根发射药中,利用密闭爆发器静态燃烧实验研究了这些燃烧催化剂对太根发射药燃烧性能的作用效果.结果表明,某些特殊的燃烧催化剂,可较好地降低该类发射药局部燃烧压强范围内的燃速压强指数,降低压强指数的压力范围与所用催化剂的种类有关.研究还发现,邻苯二甲酸铅有缩短太根发射药燃烧时间、提高燃烧速度、增加气体生成猛度的作用;含铜金属盐有抑制太根发射药燃气生成猛度的作用.     

Burning Characteristics of Consolidated Gun Propellants

To improve the combustion behaviors of conventional consolidated propellants, consolidated propellants were prepared using porous propellant grains as fast‐burning filler. The porous propellant grains were prepared by supercritical fluid foaming process and exhibited the high burning rate. The multi‐perforated structure of the consolidated propellants was designed and adopted to obtain high burning progressivity. To investigate the burning characteristics of the consolidated propellants, closed vessel and quenched combustion experiments were carried out. The results show that deconsolidation of the consolidated propellants does not occur, and that the consolidated propellants exhibit high burning rates and high burning progressivities. Besides, the results show that the consolidated propellants burn steadily even at low (−40 °C) and high temperatures (50 °C).     

Burn Rate Models for Gun Propellants

In the past, Vieille's law and minor modifications of it described sufficiently the linear burning rate of gun propellants which governs the design of charges by interior ballistic simulations. Recent developments to increase the performance led to new gun concepts and innovative propellants. These are the electrothermal‐chemical gun, porous and foamed charges as well as formulations exhibiting a temperature independent burning. Vieille's law cannot fully meet experimental results in these cases. Approaches based on the heat flow equation in the solid energetic material give simplified formulas to extend the validity. These burning rate models have the ability to describe the experimentally determined burning behavior at least in a simplified or qualitative way. More sophisticated methods consider complex geometrical structures in the solid or take into account the actual progress in phase behavior and reaction kinetics of heterogeneous combustion. The dependence of the burning rate on initial temperature, on phase transitions, porous structure and gaseous reactions can be described.     

LOVA发射药点火燃烧性能

制备了含有两种不同黏结剂的低易损性发射药(即LOVA发射药),并应用点火燃烧模拟装置与密闭爆发器对其点火燃烧性能进行了研究。结果表明,LOVA发射药难点火,但在点火药中添加高氯酸铵后可有效改善LOVA发射药的点火性能。LOVA发射药燃烧具有燃速系数低、燃速压力指数高等特点。     

Preparation and Properties of a nRDX‐based Propellant

The incorporation of nano‐scaled cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (nRDX) in nitrocellulose (NC)‐based propellants poses processing problems when following conventional methods. Hence, a new preparation method containing a pre‐dispersion process was developed, by which 30 mass % RDX (290 nm) was incorporated in the propellant. Meanwhile, the corresponding 290 nm, 12.85 μm and 97.76 μm RDX‐based propellants were prepared for comparison using a conventional method. The morphology, structure, ballistic and mechanical properties of the prepared propellants were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), density analyzer, closed vessel (CV), uniaxial tensile tester and impact tester. The results indicate that the nRDX particles were uniformly dispersed in the NC/NG/TEGDN matrix using the novel method, while agglomerated and recrystallized into large particles with the conventional method. The propellant density increased with decreasing RDX particle size. In particular, the 290 nm RDX‐based propellant exhibited a higher burning rate and lower average pressure exponent (α =0.958) compared to the 12.85 μm RDX‐based propellant (α =1.043). The tensile strength, elongation at break and impact strength of the RDX‐based propellant at −40 °C, 20 °C and 50 °C were dramatically improved by using 290 nm RDX with the novel method.     

DAGQ发射药膛内静态和动态燃烧性能

为了研究DAGQ发射药在膛内的燃烧性能,以经典内弹道理论为基础,建立了发射药膛内燃烧测试系统和处理方法,通过密闭爆发器燃烧试验和微波干涉法发射药膛内动态燃烧性能试验,研究了DAGQ发射药的静动态燃烧规律及不同温度下的动态燃烧特性。结果表明,所建立的试验系统和处理方法,能够很好地获得弹丸在膛内的运动过程。DAGQ发射药的静动态燃速都存在转折现象,静态燃速在转折点前压力指数大于1,转折点后压力指数都远小于1,动态燃速压力指数基本都小于1。在膛内燃烧过程中,由于高速气流对发射药的燃面冲刷,使得膛内的动态燃速要大于密闭爆发器内的静态燃速,并且随着膛内压力的增大,燃速相差越来越大。     

高能硝胺发射药的膛内基本燃烧特征

针对高能硝胺发射药在静态下燃速压力指数大的特殊燃烧性能，通过３０ｍｍ高压模拟炮试验，采用与制式单基药相对比的研究分析方法，对高能硝胺发射药在火炮膛内条件下的基本燃烧特征进行了研究分析。     

Combustion Characteristics of a Novel Grain‐Binding High Burning Rate Propellant

The novel grain‐binding high burning rate propellant (NGHP) is prepared via a solventless extrusion process of binder and spherical propellant grains. Compared with the traditional grain‐binding porous propellants, NGHP is compact and has no interior micropores. During the combustion of NGHP, there appear honeycomb‐like burning layers, which increase the burning surface and the burning rate of the propellant. The combustion of NGHP is a limited convective combustion process and apt to achieve stable state. The larger the difference between the burning rate of the binder and that of the spherical granular propellants exists, the higher burning rate NGHP has. The smaller the mass ratio of the binder to the spherical granular propellants is, the higher the burning rate of NGHP is. It shows that the addition of 3 wt.‐% composite catalyst (the mixture of lead/copper complex and copper/chrome oxides at a mass ratio of 1 : 1) into NGHP can enhance the burning rate from 48.78 mm⋅s⁻¹ in the absence of catalyst to 56.66 mm⋅s⁻¹ at P=9.81 MPa and decrease the pressure exponent from 0.686 to 0.576 in the pressure range from 9.81 to 19.62 MPa.     

Response of TEGDN Propellants to Plasma Ignition with the Same Magnitude of Ignition Energy as Conventional Igniters in an Interrupted Burning Simulator

In order to consider the potential influence of ignition energy factors on the response of double base propellants plasticized with triethyleneglycol dinitrate (TEGDN propellants), the influence of different ignition methods at the same magnitude of ignition energy level on the response of TEGDN propellants was investigated in an interrupted burning simulator. Compared to conventional ignition methods, plasma ignition exhibits a significantly shorter ignition delay and lower ignition energy. There are stronger ablation and impact interactions of plasma flow with the surface of propellants. For TEGDN propellants coated with titanium dioxide, a greater amount of melted white layer is deposited on the surface of propellants. The content of copper on the surface of recovered plasma‐ignited samples observed by X‐ray Fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy is much larger than that on the surface of recovered conventionally ignited samples, indicating more deposition of copper wire discharge on the surface of the samples. The test results will benefit the design of plasma generator and electrical parameters of pulse power to satisfy certain propellant compositions.     

Research on Titanium‐Containing Micro‐Porous Propellants with Rapid Burning Rate

Micro‐porous propellants containing titanium powder were obtained by supercritical CO₂ (SC CO₂) foaming technique. The morphologies of the micro‐porous propellants were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) measurement. The burning rate, the impetus, and the heat of explosion of the micro‐porous propellants were measured by the closed vessel test and the calorimetric bomb test. The results show that the porosity increased with increasing titanium powder content; compared with Benite, the burning rate was substantially improved, and the maximum values of the impetus and the isochoric heat of explosion increased by 51.4 % and 6.5 %, respectively. The Ti‐containing micro‐porous propellants with rapid burning rate and better energetic properties described in this paper may have the potential to replace Benite as igniter material in a flame igniter of a gun propellant charge.     

催化剂对太根发射药燃速的影响

为探讨调节发射药燃气生成规律的途径,采用催化剂调节太根发射药的燃速,通过密闭爆发器实验测试了不同催化剂对太根发射药燃速调节的效果。结果表明,使用催化剂可以有效调节太根发射药的燃速,当测试压力为50~150M Pa时,碳酸镍可使太根发射药的燃速提高8%以上,二茂铁可使太根发射药的燃速降低10%。所研究的6种催化剂对发射药燃速压力指数的影响均小于0.02。     

Burning Characteristics of Ammonium Nitrate‐based Composite Propellants Supplemented with Ammonium Dichromate

Ammonium nitrate (AN)‐based composite propellants have attracted much attention, primarily because of the clean burning nature of AN as an oxidizer. However, such propellants have some disadvantages such as poor ignition and low burning rate. Ammonium dichromate (ADC) is used as a burning catalyst for AN‐based propellants; however, the effect of ADC on the burning characteristics has yet to be sufficiently delineated. The burning characteristics of AN/ADC propellants prepared with various contents of AN and ADC have been investigated in this study. The theoretical performance of an AN‐based propellant is improved by the addition of ADC. The increase in the burning rate is enhanced and the pressure deflagration limit (PDL) becomes lower with increasing amount of ADC added. The increasing ratio of the burning rate with respect to the amount of ADC is independent of the AN content and the combustion pressure. The optimal amount of ADC for improving the burning characteristics has been determined.     

带延迟点火部件的发射药点火性能试验研究

为了更好地研究发射药的点火性能,在基于密闭爆发器原理的点火性能测试装置基础上增加了一个延迟点火部件,构建了一个新型点火性能模拟试验装置,根据该装置建立了简单的火药分层点火过程模型,模拟并对比了高能太根-18/1、双芳-3-18/1及NR11-18/1三种发射药的点火性能。结果表明,NR11-18/1发射药较易点火,双芳-3-18/1发射药最难点火,点火时间分别为19和45ms。增加延迟点火部件后,可将点火药的燃烧和发射药的燃烧阶段有效区分,不仅有利于对比点火性能差异较小的发射药之间的区别,还有助于分析发射药低压段的燃烧速度。随着延迟点火部件长度的增加,点火时间也增长。     

Research on Perfusion Explosives from SF‐3 Double‐Base Propellants Using Supercritical CO2

Perfusion explosives were prepared using porous SF‐3 propellants, which were synthesized by a supercritical fluid foaming process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to characterize the porous SF‐3 propellants. Massive holes were generated after the foaming process. The density of perfusion explosives using foamed SF‐3 propellants exceeds 1.3 g cm⁻³, and the detonation velocities exceed 6000 m s⁻¹. Underwater energy tests and high‐speed photography were carried out to investigate the detonation performance of perfusion explosives. The results showed that perfusion explosives using unfoamed SF‐3 propellants could not be detonated. However, perfusion explosives using their foamed analogs could be detonated herein.     

Burning Characteristics of Microcellular Combustible Ordnance Materials

A microcellular combustible ordnance material composed of 70 % RDX (cyclotrimethylene trinitramine) and 30 % PMMA (poly methyl methacrylate) was fabricated using the solvent method and foamed by supercritical CO₂ as foaming agent. This material has a number of advantages and many find potential application in weaponry. In this paper, vented bomb tests were conducted on the porous materials to gain a qualitative understanding of how the material is burning in a gun environment. The extinguish process showed that the microcellular combustible material followed the in‐depth combustion mode, i.e. the combustion products infiltrated through inner pores as well as ignited the inner pore surface. With increasing burning degree, the depth and perforation size of infiltration zone increased. Closed bomb tests were also conducted to investigate the influences of test conditions on the burning behaviors. The results showed that when the ignition pressure was increased from 10.98 MPa to 15.0 MPa, the burning time was shortened, but the mass burning rate and vivacity did not change obviously. Mass burn rates at different loading densities indicated that while the pressure in closed vessel is high enough (p≥40 MPa), hot combustion gases were driven into the inner pores and convectively ignited the inner pores. The closed bomb results conducted at high and low temperature showed no abnormal burning behavior at low and high temperature can be observed.     

Compounding of Glycidyl Azide Polymer with Nitrocellulose and its Influence on the Properties of Propellants

Currently formulated propellants comprise RDX and polymeric binders, such as hydroxy‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) and cellulose‐acetate butyrate (CAB) as well as the energetic substances glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) and nitrocellulose (NC). Propellants based on GAP are often brittle if they are formulated with a high content of cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (RDX) and due to the usually insufficient mechanical properties of GAP. On the other hand formulations based on RDX and NC may exceed the tolerable burning temperature with increasing RDX concentration. Therefore, in this study propellants with a high force and with relatively low burning temperature has been formulated by using a compound of NC and GAP as energetic binder. According to thermodynamic calculations GAP/NC composite propellants can be formulated with up to 15 percent more specific energy than seminitramines at the same burning temperature. By choosing appropriate polymerization conditions chemical stable compositions can be produced. ARC experiments give evidence that at temperatures from 120°C to 160°C the binder decomposes similar to NC. At higher temperatures the behaviour switches from NC type to GAP type decomposition. In comparison to GAP bound propellants the compressive strength of propellants bound by the GAP/NC compound can be significantly increased by up to 420 percent at room temperature. Although the examined seminitramine propellants bound with NC show a compressive strength which is about 10 percent higher at room temperature, the GAP/NC compositions are quite superior at elevated temperature.     

Energetics of Nitro/Azide Propellants

A new type of double-base propellant which contains GAP was studied in order to elucidate the burning rate characteristics and combustion wave structure. This class of propellants is termed “nitro/azide propellants”. Experimental results revealed that the burning rate and temperature sensitivity are increased when 12.5% DEP is replaced with 12.5% GAP. The reaction rate in the dark zone is increased by the replacement of DEPo with GAP. However, the gas phase structure of NG/NC/GAP propellant is fundamentally the same as that of NG/NC/DEP propellant and the basic chemical reaction mechanism in the gas phase zone remains unchanged for both propellants.