Novel aspects for thermal stability studies and shelf life assessment of modified double-base propellants

Modified DB propellants, based on energetic nitramine(RDX) were manufactured by solventless extrusion process. Thermal stability and shelf life assessment of modified DB propellant were investigated. Shelf life assessment was evaluated using Van’t Hoff’s formula and artificial aging at 70℃ up to120 days. Quantification of total heat released and heat flow with aging time was conducted using differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and thermal activity monitoring(TAMIII) respectively. Modified DB formulation based on 20 wt % RDX demonstrated enhanced thermal stability in terms of controlled heat flow, and slow decomposition reactions at elevated temperature. This formulation demonstrated extended service life up to 56 years compared with reference formulation. These novel finding was ascribed to the high thermal stability of RDX and its compatibility with DB constituents. This manuscript shaded the light on novel and effective approach for thermal stability via monitoring thermal activity with aging.

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.

A Study of Estimating the Safe Storage Life, Self-accelerating Decomposition Temperature and Critical Temperature of Thermal Explosion of Double-base Propellant Using Isothermal and Non-isothermal Decomposition Behaviours

A method of estimating the safe storage life （τ）, self-accelerating decomposition temperature （TsADT） and critical temperature of thermal explosion （Tb） of double-base propellant using isothermal and non-isothermal decomposition behaviours is presented. For double-base propellant composed of 56±1wt% of nitrocellulose （NC）, 27±0.5wt% of nitroglycerine （NG）, 8.15±0.15wt% of dinitrotoluene （DNT）, 2.5±0.1wt% of methyl centralite, 5.0±0.15wt% of catalyst and 1.0±0.1wt% of other, the values of r of 49.4 years at 40℃, of TSAOT of 151.35℃ and of Tb of 163.01℃ were obtained.

Combustion Properties of Metal Particles as Components of Modified Double-Base Propellants

Metal particles such as aluminum（ Al）,magnesium（ Mg）,boron（ B） and nickel（ Ni）,as well as Mg/Al alloy（ Mg/Al = 3/4） are currently the most widely used ingredients in modified doublebase propellants. In this contribution,the combustion properties of the metal species are studied by means of the high-speed photography technique and the non-contact wavelet-based measurement of flame temperature distribution. The combustion process of the Al,Mg and Mg/Al samples shows both gas phase reaction and surface oxidation,which yield volatile and nonvolatile products,corresponding to the oxide and suboxide respectively. However,the combustion of B and Ni shows only gas phase reaction,due to their high melting point as well as high enthalpy of vaporization. In addition to the experiments,a hypothetical combustion model has been proposed to clarify the combustion characteristics of metal species in modified double-base propellants.

Thermal kinetic and thermal safety of Shuangfang-3 gun propellant based on thermal decomposition characteristics

Differential scanning calorimetry(DSC)was used to investigate the thermal decomposition and thermal safety characteristics of Shuangfang-3(SF-3)gun propellant.The kinetic calculation of the DSC curve was carried out by Kissinger and Friedman models,and the time to the maximum rate under adiabatic conditions and the self-accelerating decomposition temperature were calculated by using the AKTS thermal analysis software in combination with the heat balance equation.The thermal history experiment was carried out to further analyze the autocatalytic properties of SF-3.The results show that the initial decomposition temperature,decomposition peak temperature,and decomposition completion temperature of SF-3 all move to the high temperature direction with the increase of heating rate,and the average decomposition heat is 1521.4 J/g.The kinetic model showcased that SF-3 has different reactions in different reaction stages,and its apparent activation energy is 168.2 kJ/mol.When the times to maximum rate under adiabatic conditions are 2.0 h,4.0 h,8.0 h,24.0 h,respectively,the corresponding temperatures are 130.7℃,124.8℃,119.2℃and 110.5℃,respectively.When the masses are 5.0 kg,15.0 kg,25.0 kg,50.0 kg,100.0 kg,respectively,the corresponding self-accelerating decomposition temperatures are 110.0℃,105.0℃,102.0℃,99.0℃and 96.0℃,respectively.As the packaging mass increases,it is more difficult to exchange the liberated heat into the surrounding environment and its safety would be further reduced.The thermal history experiment demonstrates that the thermal decomposition of SF-3 is an n-stage reaction and does not have autocatalytic properties.Therefore,the size and ventilation conditions of the sample have a certain impact on the storage stability of SF-3.In the actual production,usage,storage and transportation,sample size and ventilation conditions should be controlled,and practical and effective measures should be taken according to the actual situation.