Chemical stability, thermal behavior, and shelf life assessment of extruded modified double-base propellants

Double base propellant suffers from lack of chemical stability; this could result in self ignition during storing. Modified double base(MDB) propellant based on stoichiometric binary mixture of oxidizermetal fuel(Ammonium perchlorate/Aluminum), and energetic nitramines(HMX) offered enhanced thrust as well as combustion characteristics. This study is devoted to evaluate the impact of such energetic additives on thermal behavior, chemical stability, and shelf life. Extruded MDB formulations were manufactured by extrusion process. Artificial aging at 80℃ for 28 days was conducted. Shelf life assessment was performed using Van't Hoff's equation. Quantification of evolved NOxgases with aging time was performed using quantitative stability tests. MDB formulation based on HMX demonstrated extended service life of 16 years compared with(AP/Al)-MDB which demonstrated 9 years. This finding was ascribed to the reactivity of AP with nitroglycerin with the formation of perchloric acid. Thermal behavior of aged MDB, exhibited an increase in heat released with time; this was ascribed to the autocatalytic thermal degradation during artificial aging. The increase in released heat by 31% was found to be equivalent to evolved NOx gases of 6.2 cm^3/5 g and 2.5 cm^3/1 g for Bergmann-Junk test, and Vacuum stability test respectively. This manuscript shaded the light on a novel approach to quantify evolved NOx gases to heat released with aging time. MDB based on HMX offered balanced ballistic performance,chemical stability, and service life.

Novel approach to quantify the chemical stability and shelf life of modified double-base propellants

Double-base(DB) propellant is vulnerable to auto-catalytic decomposition reactions during storing with the evolution of nitrogen oxides. Modified DB propellant based on energetic nitramines(RDX) can offer enhanced thrust and action time. This study is devoted to evaluate the impact of RDX on chemical stability and shelf life of DB propellant. Extruded modified DB propellant based on RDX was manufactured by solventless extrusion process. Shelf life assessment was performed using an artificial aging at70 ℃ up to 120 days and employing Van't Hoffs formula. Quantification of evolved NOx gases and stabilizer depletion with aging time was conducted using Bergmann-Junk test and HPLC respectively.Modified DB formulation based on RDX 20 wt % demonstrated enhanced chemical stability and extended service life up to 46 years compared with reference formulation. This finding was ascribed to the high chemical and thermal stability of RDX as well as its compatibility with DB constituents; no side chemical reactions could take place during storing. This manuscript shaded the light on RDX as effective energetic constituent that offered DB propellants with enhanced performance, good chemical stability, and extended service life.

Synthesis and surface modification of nanophosphorous-based flame retardant agent by continuous flow hydrothermal synthesis

Nanoparticles can provide flame retardance to hosting polymers and act as nano fire extinguishers. Hydroxyapatite （Ca5（OH）（PO4）3） （HA） is not hygroscopic, and is thermally stable up to 800℃, with 18.5 wt% phosphorous content. It is this high phosphorous content that can provide HA with flame retardant properties. In this paper, we report on the continuous synthesis of ultrafine HA using a hydrothermal synthesis technique. The HA surface properties were changed from hydrophilic to hydrophobic by post-synthesis surface modification. The ratio of the HA nanoparticles and an intumescent agent known as Exolit AP750 was investigated to yield a self-extinguishing multi-component epoxy nanocomposite for extended application under extreme fire conditions. The HA/AP750/epoxy nanocomposite was able to resist a flame at 1700 oc and self-extinguish after the flame had been removed. The nanocomposite showed an enhanced flammability performance in standard cone calorimetry testing and formed a compact and cohesive protective char layer with a 50% decrease in peak heat released compared with virgin epoxy. Our aim was to establish the use of HA as an effective nanofiller with phosphorous-based flame retardant properties. The surface of this nano fire extinguisher was modified effectively with different surfactants for enhanced compatibility with different polymeric matrices.