RDX Based Enhanced Energy Propellant for Tank Gun Ammunition

Abstract

Ammunition designers are faced now a day with the tasks of improving muzzle velocity (MV) to achieve required penetration as well as developing gun propellant with minimum variation of ballistics at extremes of temperatures so as to maintain safe chamber pressure of gun. In order to meet the requirement an optimized propellant composition containing RDX, energetic plasticizer, nitrocellulose (NC), cellulose acetate (CA) and additives referred as Enhanced Energy Propellant (EEP) was processed and evaluated theoretically and experimentally. Performance in respect of ballistic parameters (static and dynamic), sensitivity, thermal characteristics, thermal stability and mechanical properties were evaluated and compared with that of the conventional triple base propellant (TBP). Experimental data on comparative study indicated that the newly developed EEP is superior to existing TBP in terms of energy, stability and thermal properties while sustaining the safe chamber pressure of gun. Dynamic firing results show that, EEP requires lower charge mass (7.43 kg) and lesser chamber pressure (459 MPa) to realize MV at par with standard. This illustrates high energy of EEP.

Experimental Study of Pyrolysis and Laser Ignition of Low-Vulnerability Propellants Based on RDX

“…Concerning the composition, reduced sensitivity RDX appears to be a good candidate to reach LOVA requirements. We can also note the very recent study of Jaiswal et al [16] who formulate an enhanced energy propellant based on RDX and NC with better stability and thermal properties than conventional propellants.…”

Synthesis of Bridged Tetrazoles with Promising Properties and Potential Applications by a One‐Step Finkelstein Reaction

“…Examples of cyclic nitramines are the two secondary explosives hexogen (1,3,5trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane, RDX) and octogen (1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocane, HMX), both of which are mainly used in the military sector in warheads or propellant formulations. [23][24][25] In addition, there are also open-chain nitramine energetic compounds such as the nitroxyethyl nitramines (NENAs). Important examples of NENAs are BuNENA (n-butyl nitroxyethylnitramine) or DINA (dioxyethylnitramine dinitrate), both of which are used as plasticizers in propellant formulations.…”

“…The nitramine functional group is also widely used as an energetic building block in energetic materials, and many compounds which incorporate this building block are known and show promise for use in applications. Examples of cyclic nitramines are the two secondary explosives hexogen (1,3,5‐trinitro‐1,3,5‐triazinane, RDX) and octogen (1,3,5,7‐tetranitro‐1,3,5,7‐tetrazocane, HMX), both of which are mainly used in the military sector in warheads or propellant formulations [23–25] . In addition, there are also open‐chain nitramine energetic compounds such as the nitroxyethyl nitramines (NENAs).…”

Studies on Effect of Nitrogen Rich Explosives on the Morphology, Thermal and Combustion Behaviour of B/KNO3 Composition

“…Overall it has been gathered from the literature that high energy materials such as RDX, HMX, FOX-7, and CL-20, when used in propellants, have given promising results. Reduced vulnerability, better output, and higher burning rate are some of the characteristics incorporated in the propellant compositions on the inclusion of high-energy materials [16][17][18]. In a recent study Wang et al [19] reported that burning rates of composite modified double base (CMDB) propellants increased substantially with the addition of CL-20 and decreased with the addition of RDX.…”

“…Overall it has been gathered from the literature that high energy materials such as RDX, HMX, FOX‐7, and CL‐20, when used in propellants, have given promising results. Reduced vulnerability, better output, and higher burning rate are some of the characteristics incorporated in the propellant compositions on the inclusion of high‐energy materials [16–18]. In a recent study Wang et al.…”