A Study on Gun Propellants Based on Butyl-NENA

Abstract

Researchers have sought to improve performance of gun propellants by incorporating various additives in the propellant matrix. Energetic plasticizers were primarily introduced in the formulation to improve the energy content of the propellant with the possible fallout in the form of improvement in the mechanical property. Butyl-NENA is widely reported to play the dual role of better energetics with an improved mechanical property. In the present paper butyl-NENA has been introduced in typical single, double, and triple base propellant formulations. Introduction of butyl-NENA in a single base propellant has resulted in significant improvement in energetics, while in double base and triple base propellants, it has contributed to enhancing insensitivity and improving mechanical properties.