Effect of Nano Cr2O3 in HTPB/AP/Al Based Composite Propellant Formulations

  • Dhirendra Kshirsagar High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
  • Ramesh Kurva High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
  • Kashinath Dhabbe High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
  • Lalita Jawale High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
  • Sudhir Singh High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
  • Vrushali Khire High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
  • Mehilal Maurya High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.66.9250
Keywords: Composite propellant, nano chromium oxide, pressure exponent, burning rate

Abstract

Different compositions have been prepared by incorporating nano sized chromium oxide from 0.25 % to 1 % in HTPB/AP/Al based composite propellant formulation having 86% of solid loading and studied its effect on viscosity build-up, thermal, mechanical and ballistic properties. The findings reveal that on increasing the percentage of nano Cr2O3 in the composition, there is an increase in end of mix viscosity, elastic modulus and tensile strength while elongation decreases accordingly. The data on thermal properties envisage the reduction in thermal decomposition temperature of ammonium perchlorate as well as formulations based on HTPB/AP/Al. The data on ballistic properties reveal that there is an enhancement in burning rate from 6.11 mm/s to 7.88 mm/s at 6.86 MPa, however, marginal increase in  pressure exponent (‘n’ values) from 0.35 to 0.53 with 1 wt % of nano Cr2O3 was observed  in comparison to reference composition without chromium oxide.

Author Biographies

Dhirendra Kshirsagar, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
Dr Dhirendra Kshirsagar received his MSc (Analytical Chemistry) from Shivaji university, Kolhapur, in 2001 and PhD in Chemistry from Savitribai Phule Pune university, in 2014. He is actively involved in evaluation of nano-sized burning rate catalyst for composite propellant.
Ramesh Kurva, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
Mr Ramesh Kurva obtained his MTech in Chemical Engineering from IIT Delhi in 2000. Presently working as a Deputy Director at High Energy Materials research Laboratory, Pune.
Kashinath Dhabbe, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
Mr Kashinath Dhabbe received his MSc (Organic Chemistry) from Shivaji university, in 1998. His area of specialisation is analysis of raw materials of composite propellant ingredients and finished products.
Lalita Jawale, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
Mrs Lalita Jawale received her MSc (Organic Chemistry) from university of Pune, in 1995. She is actively involved in determination of calorific and calorimetric values of propellants and explosives samples as well as burning rate of composite propellants.
Sudhir Singh, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
Mr Sudhir obtained his MSc (Physical Chemistry) from C.C.S. university, Meerut, in 2003. Presently working as a Scientist at High Energy Materials research Laboratory, Pune. His area of specialisation is processing of composite propellant.
Vrushali Khire, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
Dr (Mrs) Vrushali Khire obtained her PhD in Chemistry from university of Pune, in 2009. Presently she is working as Deputy Director at High Energy Materials research Laboratory, Pune. Her area of specialisation is processing of gun propellant and solid rocket propellant.
Mehilal Maurya, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Pune
Dr Mehilal received his PhD in Chemistry from Allahabad university, in 1985. Presently he is working as Joint Director at High Energy Materials research Laboratory, Pune.
Published
2016-03-23
How to Cite
Kshirsagar, D., Kurva, R., Dhabbe, K., Jawale, L., Singh, S., Khire, V., & Maurya, M. (2016). Effect of Nano Cr2O3 in HTPB/AP/Al Based Composite Propellant Formulations. Defence Science Journal, 66(2), 100-106. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.66.9250
Issue
Vol 66 No 2
Section
Armaments & Explosives

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