High Impetus Cool Burning Gun Propellants

R.S. Dames; A.S. Redkar

doi:10.14429/dsj.50.3579

R.S. Dames High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
A.S. Redkar High Energy Material Research Laboratory , Pune

DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.50.3579

Keywords: High energy gun propellants, Energetic oxidiser, Glycidyl azide polymer, Energetic plasticiser, Ballistic parameters

Abstract

This study explores the possibility of reducing the flame temperature (Tf) without decrease in impetus of RDX-NC matrix-based high energy gun propellants by partial replacement of RDX with triaminoguanidine nitrate (TAGN). Compositions containing TAGN as an energetic oxidiser with varying percentage of RDX have been formulated. Glycidyl azide polymer was incorporated as an energetic plasticiser to achieve the higher level of impetus. Performance in terms of ballistic parameters (theoretical/experimental) sensitivity, thermal characteristics, stability and mechanical properties was evaluated and compared with the basic composition containing RDX as a single oxidiser. Experimental data indicates that the partial replacement of RDX by TAGN in gun propellant compositions decreases Tf significantly with only marginal decrease in impetus. "

Author Biographies

R.S. Dames, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune

Mr RS Damse obtained his MSc (Organic Chemistry) from the University of Poona, Pune, in 1983. He joined DRDO at the High Energy Materibls Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune, as Scientist B. At present, he is working as senior scientist.'His areas of work include: design and development of combtlstible cartridge Icases for tank guns of different calibre, ignition system for tank gun ammunilion and developmental study on high energy gun propellants. He has published six rescarch paper in national/international journals.

A.S. Redkar, High Energy Material Research Laboratory , Pune

High Energy Material Research Laboratory , Pune

References

Flanagan, Joseph E. Haury & Vernon, E. Cool burning gun propellants containing triam inoguanidine nitrate and cycloetramethylene tetranitramine with ethyl cellulose

binder. US Patent 3, 909', 323, 30 September 1975. 3p.

Flanagan, joseph' E. Haury & Vernon, E. Gun propellants, containihg nitraminoguanidine. US Patent 4,3713,976,15 February 1983.

Flanagan, Jps~ph E.; Haury & Vernon, E. Gun propellants. l;JK Patent 1, 432, 327, 14 April 1976.3p.

Haury; Vernon, E.; Frankel & Milton, B. Triaminoguanidine I nitrate containing gun propellants. Canadian Patent 977, 154,4,

November 1974. 3p.

Damse, R.S.& Singh, Mflridwar. Glycidyl azide polymer-based high energy gun propellants. 2nd International High Energy Materials Conference and Exhibition. IIT Madras, Chennai, India, 8 -10 December 1998, pp. 346-50.

Rao, K.P.; Umrani, P.K. Nair, R.G.K. & Venkatesan, K. Studies orl some aspects of propellants for improving the performance of tank guns. Del Sc. J.,1987, 37(1),51-57.

Kubota, N.; Hirata & Sakamota, S. Decomposition chemistry of TAGN propellants. Prop. Explos. Pyrotech., 1988, 13, 65-68.

Urbanski, T. Chemistry.and technology of explosives, Vol. 4; N-nitro compounds, Chapter 13.367p.

Rao, K.P. Calculation of thermochemical constants of propellants. Def Sci. J., 1979, 29( 1 ),21-26

Singh, Surjit. Handbook on solid propellants, Vol.2; Double base propellants, Chapter 3. India, 1976. CI(ME) Report 1/76, 124p.

Maruizumi, H. Thermal decomposition of RDX composite propellants. Chemical Abstracts, 1982, 97, I I 1992x.

John, Mullay. Relationship between sensitivity and molecular electronic structure. Prop. Explos. Pyrotech., 1987,12,121-24.

Kubota, N. & Sonobe, T. Combustion mechanism of azide polymer. Prop. Explos. Pyrotech., 1988, 13, 172- 77.