Linear Burning Rate and Erosivity Properties of Nitrocellulose Propellant Formulations Plasticized by Glycidyl Azide Polymer and Nitroglycerine

Abstract

AbstractThe performance of the extruded cord geometry of nitrocellulose (NC) propellants plasticized by glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) and nitroglycerine (NG) has been evaluated using both closed and erosion vented vessel techniques in order to obtain the linear burning rate and the relative erosivity of these propellants. The closed vessel experiments performed at −46, 21 and 63 °C demonstrate that the measured maximum pressure is in accordance with the calculation obtained using the CHEETAH V2 thermochemical code. From the closed vessel analysis, the linear burning rates show that it is on average 89±3 % that of the 21 °C propellant when fired at −46 °C. and 112±4 % when fired at 63 °C. The addition of either GAP or NG increases the linear burning rate when compared to the neat NC formulation. Relative erosion data obtained in the erosion vented vessel are in agreement with the Arisawa‐Kimura models and it is found that the ratio of CO/CO2 concentration in combustion gases is a better erosivity indicator than N2/CO ratio.