Glycidyl Azide Polymer-based Enhanced Energy LOVA Gun Propellant

  • R. R. Sanghavi High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
  • P. J. Kamale High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
  • M.A.R. Shaikh High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
  • T. K. Chakraborthy High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
  • S. N. Asthana High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
  • Amarjit Singh High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
Keywords: Low vulnerable ammunition, LOVA, glycidyl azide polymer, GAP, gun propellent, triacetin, cellulose acetate, energetic plasticiser, force constant, combustion characteristics, HFCI, hot fragment conductive ignition

Abstract

In this study, cyclotrimethylene trinitramine propellants with triacetin (TA)-plasticised
cellulose acetate (CA) and nitrocellulose (NC) combination as binders were evaluated for low
vulnerable ammunition (LOVA). Triacetin was replaced by energetic plasticiser; glycidyl azide
polymer (GAP) in increments to enhance the performance in terms of force constant . In addition
to ballistics, parameters like vulnerability, mechanical and thermal properties of GAP-based
propellants in comparison to those of TA-based propellants, were also determined. The study
brings out that the incorporation of 2-6 per cent GAP in place of TA resulted in the enhancement
of force constant by 22-70 J/g and improved overall combustion characteristics. DSC revealed
that thermal decomposition of GAP-LOVA propellants evolved more energy than TA-LOVA
propellants. GAP-based LOVA propellant similar to TA-plasticised LOVA propellant, was found
superior to NQ propellant in vulnerability tests as well as in hot fragment conductive ignition
(HFCI) studies. As regards mechanical properties, incorporation of GAP resulted in improved
compression strength.
Published
2006-07-01
How to Cite
Sanghavi, R., Kamale, P., Shaikh, M., Chakraborthy, T., Asthana, S., & Singh, A. (2006). Glycidyl Azide Polymer-based Enhanced Energy LOVA Gun Propellant. Defence Science Journal, 56(3), 407-416. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.56.1907
Section
Special Issue Papers

Most read articles by the same author(s)

1 2 > >>