Solvent transport dynamics and its effect on evolution of mechanical properties of nitrocellulose (NC)-based propellants under hot-air drying process

Abstract

Appropriate drying process with optimized controlling of drying parameters plays a vital role in the improvement of the quality and performance of propellant products. However, few research on solvent transport dynamics within NC-based propellants was reported, and its effect on the evolution of mechanical properties was not interpreted yet. This study is conducted to gain a comprehensive understanding of hot-air drying for NC-based propellants and clarify the effect of temperature on solvent transport behavior and further the change of mechanical properties during drying. The drying kinetic curves show the drying time required is decreased but the steady solvent content is increased and the drying rate is obviously increased with the increase of hot-air temperatures, indicating hot-air temperatures have a significant effect on drying kinetics. A modified drying model was established, and results show it is more appropriate to describe solvent transport behavior within NC-based propellants. Moreover, two linear equations were established to exhibit the relationship between solvent content and its effect on the change of tensile properties, and the decrease of residual solvent content causes an obvious increase of tensile strength and tensile modulus of propellant products, indicating its mechanical properties can be partly improved by adjustment of residual solvent content. The outcomes can be used to clarify solvent transport mechanisms and optimize drying process parameters of double-based gun propellants.