Research on performance of PBT/Bu-NENA low-vulnerability propellant

Abstract

Large-size program temperature controller was used to carry out the slow cook-off test study of PBT, Bu-NENA, PBT/Bu-NENA mixture and PBT/Bu-NENA propellant in the range of gram and kilogram scale. The comprehensive performance of PBT/Bu-NENA propellant was carried out evaluation, including energy performance, mechanical performance, and low vulnerability performance (including fast cook-off test, slow cook-off test, shaped charge jet impact test and bullet impact test). The test results show that the slow cook-off response temperature of gram-weigh PBT, Bu-NENA and PBT/Bu-NENA mixture are 178.5°C, 142.3°C, and 139.0°C, respectively, while that of kilogram-weigh PBT/Bu-NENA propellant is 121.9°C. Analysis believes that high volatility of Bu-NENA plasticizers the main reason for the response temperature to drop from 139.0°C to 121.9°C. The PBT/Bu-NENA propellant has low vulnerability characteristics. Among them, the shaped charge jet impact test has the highest degree, which is an explosive reaction, and the sympathetic detonation test has the lowest response degree, which is below the burning. The theoretical special impulse of the PBT/Bu-NENA propellant is greater than 267 s,the density is greater than 1.80 g/cm3, the glass transition temperature (Tg) is less than -66°C, and the mechanical properties in the range of -60°C ∼ +70°C are excellent.