Impact, Friction, Shock Sensitivities and DDT Behaviour of Advanced CMDB Propellants

Abstract

This paper reports results of impact, friction and shock sensitivities of CMDB propellants containing AP, RDX, PETN and their combinations. Results of impact and friction sensitivities indicate that CMDB propellants containing AP are highly sensitive and AP-based compositions are more impact and friction sensitive than RDX and PETN-based compositions, qnd that these sensitivities are proportionalto oxygen balance of the composition, which is in agreement withearlier findings. Inclusion of high explosives like RDX and PETN increases the shock sensitivity of CMDB formulations, whereas AP-based compositions are least shock sensitive. There exists are lationship between shock sensitivity and VOD of the individual oxidiser/high energy ingredient incorporated in the formulation. Shockamplitude values of 87 and 46 k bar in CMDB and DBP, as determinedby NOL card gap test, suggest that CMDB propellants are much more shock sensitive than DBP. Composite propellants are insensitive toshock, as they did not undergo detonation even at zero card gap.Results of DDT behaviour of CMDB propellants show that they aremore prone to deflagration to detonation transition under adverse conditions.