Transition Metal Carbohydrazide Nitrates: Burn-rate Modifiers for Propellants

  • S. H. Sonawane High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
  • G. M. Gore High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
  • B. G. Polke High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
  • A. N. Nazare High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
  • S. N. Asthana High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
Keywords: Burn rate modifier, carbohydrazide complexes, propellants, double-base propellants, thermal stability, composite propellants, ligand fuel

Abstract

This paper discusses the synthesis and characterisation of cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni) and
copper (Cu) carbohydrazide nitrates. In differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), the complexes
exhibited exothermic decomposition indicating their energetic nature. The commencement of
decomposition was observed at 220 °C for Ni complex, and at 160 °C for Co complex whereas
that of Cu complex occurred at 75 °C. In view of the better thermal stability, Ni and Co complexes
were selected for further study. The activation energy of decomposition of Ni and Co complexes
were found to be 47 kcal/mol and 60 kcal/mol respectively. Impact and friction sensitivity test
results revealed relatively lower vulnerability of carbohydrazide cobalt nitrate. Its incorporation
in an ammonium perchlorate (AP)-based composite propellant led to 9-19 per cent enhancement
whereas that of carbohydrazide nickel nitrate resulted in 28-74 per cent enhancement in burning
rates in the pressure range 1.9 MPa to 8.8 MPa. Exothermic decomposition of the coordination
complexes on propellant surface and involvement of metal at molecular level formed on
decomposition of the complexes in combustion environment of composite propellant may be
attributed to the catalytic effect of this class of compounds on the lines of reported literature.
Published
2006-07-01
How to Cite
Sonawane, S., Gore, G., Polke, B., Nazare, A., & Asthana, S. (2006). Transition Metal Carbohydrazide Nitrates: Burn-rate Modifiers for Propellants. Defence Science Journal, 56(3), 391-398. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.56.1905
Section
Special Issue Papers

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