Comparative examination of the chemical stability of powders and double-base rocket propellants by measuring heat activities and stabilizer content

Abstract

The problem of assessing the chemical stability of nitrocellulose (NC) based propellants is examined with a focus on a comparative analysis of the home country based methodology and modern methods used in the world. The measurements were performed using the instrumental methods such as microcalorimetry and high pressure liquid chromatography. During many years of implementation, the disadvantages of the domestic method of microcalorimetry for the chemical stability assessment by measuring the critical diameter of NC propellants in accordance with SORS 8069/91 standard have been noticed. Therefore, the priority of the research in the field of thermal activity of NC propellants is given to the method of measuring the heat flow in accordance with STANAG 4582 NATO standard. The analysis of the results of the assessment of the chemical stability of different types of gun powders (GP) stored in collections under continental and Mediterranean climate conditions has shown that there is no correlation between the results of the heat flow measurements done in accordance with STANAG 4582 and the results of the measurements of the critical diameter and stabilizer content in naturally aged GP done in accordance with SORS 8069/91. There is agreement between the results of the chemical stability assessment by measuring heat flow in accordance with STANAG 4582 and the results of the measurements of the stabilizer content in artificially aged NC propellants done in accordance with AOP-48 Ed.2.

Keywords

• gunpowder
• double-base rocket propellant
• chemical stability
• microcalorimetry
• heat flow
• liquid chromatography
• stabilizers