Prediction of Storage Life of Propellants having Different Burning Rates using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis

V.S. Wani; Mehilal M; Sunil Jain; P.P. Singh; B. Bhattacharya

doi:10.14429/dsj.62.2480

V.S. Wani High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
Mehilal M High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
Sunil Jain High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
P.P. Singh High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
B. Bhattacharya High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.62.2480

Keywords: Glass transition temperature, mechanical properties, storage modulus, loss modulus, polybutadiene, visco-elastic properties

Abstract

Propellants, visco-elastic in nature, show time and temperature dependent behaviour on deformation. Hence, the time–temperature superposition principle may be applied to the visco-elastic properties of propellants. In the present study, dynamic mechanical analyser (DMA) was used to evaluate the dynamic mechanical properties and quantify the storage life of four different propellants based on hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene, aluminium and ammonium perchlorate having different burning rates ranging from 5 mm/s to 25 mm/s. Each sample was given a multi-frequency strain of 0.01 per cent at three discrete frequencies (3.5 Hz, 11 Hz, 35 Hz) in the temperature range - 80 °C to + 80 °C. The storage modulus, loss modulus, tan delta and glass transition temperature (Tg) for each propellant samples have been evaluated and it is observed that all the propellants have shown time (frequency) and temperature dependent behaviour on deformation. A comparison of the log aT versus temperature curves (where aT is horizontal (or time) shift factor) for all four propellants indicate conformance to the Williams–Landel–Ferry (WLF) equation. The master curves of storage modulus (log É versus log ω plots) were generated for each propellant. A plot of É versus time for all propellants was generated up to 3 years, 6 years, and 10 years of time, respectively. The drop in the storage modulus below the acceptable limit with time may be used to predict the shelf life of the propellant.

Defence Science Journal, 2012, 62(5), pp.290-294, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.62.2480

Author Biographies

V.S. Wani, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

Mr V.S. Wani obtained his MSc (Chemistry) from Pune University in 1981. Presently working as a Technical Officer ‘C’ at High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMR L), Pune. His area of research include: Mechanical properties testing of propellants and high explosives.

Mehilal M, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

Dr Mehilal received his PhD from Allahabad University in 1985. Presently working as a Joint Director at HEMR L, Pune. He made significant contributions in the field of plastic-bonded explosives. Presently he is working in the field of solid rocket propellants. He has published more than 100 research papers in national/international journals and filed 8 patents.

Sunil Jain, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

Mr Sunil Jain obtained his BE (Chemical Engg.) from National Institute of Technology, Surat in 2002 and ME (Aerospace Engg.) from Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore in 2010. Presently working as a Scientist ‘D’ at HEMR L, Pune. He has published more than 10 research papers in national/international journals. His area of research include: Solid rocket propellant processing.

P.P. Singh, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

Mr P.P. Singh received his BTech (Chemical Engg.) from HBTI (Harcourt Butler Technology Institute), Kanpur, in 1992. Presently working as a Joint Director at HEMR L, Pune. His area of research include: Solid rocket propellant processing.

B. Bhattacharya, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

Mr B. Bhattacharya obtained his MTech (Chemical Engg.) from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Presently, working as an Outstanding Scientist and Director of HEMR L, Pune. His area of research include: Processing of composite propellants.

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Prediction of Storage Life of Propellants having Different Burning Rates using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis

Abstract

Author Biographies

References

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