Effect of relative humidity and absorbed water on the ethyl centralite consumption in nitrocellulose-based propellants

Abstract

The in uence of relative humidity on the degradation of a nitrocellulose-based propellant with ethyl centralite as stabilizer was investigated. For this kind of material, long term safe storage -maybe decades -is required and various relative humidity conditions can be found. The investigation of chemical integrity only based on accelerated ageing by heating is not su cient to make secure predictions of the degradation in real conditions. The propellant was aged in different conditions of relative humidity and temperature in order to evaluate the in uence of relative humidity on the stabilizer consumption and the consequent chemical integrity. The residual stabilizer was quanti ed by HPLC analyses. The degradation behavior at ambient temperature was predicted according to the linearized Arrhenius model. We observed a substantial difference in ethyl centralite consumption by comparing the values obtained for distinct humidity conditions. A possible explanation was proposed. Our results, allows one to propose an optimum range of relative humidity for long term storage.

Making Progress Towards « Green » Propellants – Part III

“…Substantial differences in stabiliser consumption were observed for NC-based propellants, stabilised with EC, aged with various conditions of relative humidity and temperature. Optimum ranges of relative humidity for long term storage were proposed [20].…”

Density functional theory investigation of green stabilizer reactions: curcumin in nitrocellulose-based propellants

“…Stabilizers are essential raw materials employed in nitrocellulose-based propellants aiming to inhibit their autocatalytic degradation. The degradation reactions, which reduce the propellant shelf-life, occur under ambient storage circumstances [1], compromising their ballistic performance [2] and safe handling and storage. Increasing environmental and health hazard concerns led to the development of new stabilizers to replace traditional ones [3][4].…”

“…Different nitro compounds, including toxic substances, are formed during nitrocellulose (NC) degradation [7][8]. These products react back with NC, thus accelerating the degradation, which is enhanced by moisture and temperature [1,5,9]. At the same time, they also react with the stabilizer molecules in a competing process, which consumes the nitro products of degradation.…”

Enhancing propellant performance through intermolecular interactions: cyclodextrin-based MOF loading in nitrocellulose

“…Additionally, KNO 3 combustion produces toxic and hazardous chemicals, such as nitrites, which may be harmful to human health. [10][11][12] As people's awareness of environmental protection has increased, several natural and green flame suppressants have constantly attracted more attention.…”