Ballistic Modification of Nitramine Propellants with Special Reference to NG-PE-PCP-Based High Energy Propellants

Abstract

The burning rate pressure relationship is one of the important criteria in the selection of the propellant for particular applications. The pressure exponent (η) plays a significant role in the internal ballistics of rocket motors. Nitramines are known to produce lower burning rates and higher pressure exponent (η) values. Studies on the burning rate and combustion behavior of advanced high-energy NG/PE-PCP/AP/Al- and NG/PE-PCP/HMX/AP/Al-based solid rocket propellants processed by a conventional slurry cast route were carried out. The objective of present study was to understand the effectiveness of various ballistic modifiers viz. iron oxide, copper chromite, lead/copper oxides, and lead salts in combination with carbon black as a catalyst on the burning rate and pressure exponent of these high-energy propellants. A 7–9 % increase in the burning rates and almost no effect in pressure exponent values of propellant compositions without nitramine were observed. However, in case of nitramine-based propellants as compared to propellant compositions without nitramines, slight increases of the burning rates were observed. By incorporation of ballistic modifiers, the pressure exponents can be lowered. The changes in the calorimetric values of the formulations by addition of the catalysts were also studied.