Feasibility Study of Processing Estane-based LOVA Gun Propellant

Abstract

Low vulnerability ammunition (LOVA) propellant are currently being developed globally toreplace all types of single-base, double-base and triple-base gun propellants, because LOVApropellants possess advantage like low vulnerability without compromising on ballistic properties.The objective of present study is to establish processing of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE);estane-based LOVA gun propellant in cord/heptatubular geometry.  Keeping in view variousadvantages of TPE such as simple processing, greater dimensional stability, lower productionlosses, superior insensitivity, and mechanical properties of the propellants, estane 5731(polyurethane-ester-MDI, aromatic polyester) is selected for feasibility study as a binder inLOVA-based gun propellant composition, processed by solvent and semi-solvent methods andcompared feasibility of processing as well as their evaluation wrt ballistics, vulnerability, andmechanical properties. The results indicate that gun propellants processed by semi-solventmethod and extruded at elevated temperatures exhibit better ballistics, mechanical, andvulnerability properties.