Effect of high energy materials on the thermal stability and shelf life of CMDB propellants

Abstract

The results of thermal stability tests indicate higher stability of cyclotrimethylene-trinitramine (RDX), pentaerythritol-tetranitrate (PETN) and their combined formulations with composite modified double base (CMDB) propellants than ammonium perchlorate (AP) containing CMDB propellants. Gas kinetic studies also reveal a similar trend. Activation energies as computed from isothermal gravimetric analysis in the range of 60-80°C, are about 35 kcal/mol for RDX and PETN based compositions, whereas for AP-RDX and AP-PETN based formulations they are about 30 kcal/mol. Autoignition test results also give lower activation energies for AP based CMDB systems. A shelf life of 65-164 year has been obtained for RDX and PETN based CMDB propellants, while on the otherhand the shelf life for AP based formulations ranges from 13-19 year.