Influence of the Chemical Interaction of Ballistic Modifiers on the Chemical Stability of Double Base Propellants

Abstract

The effect of ballistic modifiers, namely lead β-resorcylate, lead salicylate, basic copper salicylate, and some of their combination, on the rate of depletion of propellant stabilizers, namely para-nitro-N-methylaniline and 2-nitro-diphenylamine, during both the aging of nitroglycerin and their reaction with the individual reactive species known to be generated during double base propellant decomposition NO2, HNO2, and HNO3, have been thoroughly investigated in an attempt to gain knowledge of the reactions that take place in these propellant systems containing these compounds. It was found that these ballistic modifiers differ in their reactivity towards propellant decomposition reactive species. The bases of the evaluation of the effect of these ballistic modifiers on the reactions of the stabilizers are well defined. It became apparent that the chemical interaction of ballistic modifiers significantly affects the chemical stability of double base propellants.