Studies on the ballistic parameters of a deterred triple base propellant used in large Caliber ammunition

Abstract

In this work, the energetic plasticizer N-n-butyl-N-(2-nitroxyethyl)nitramine (Bu-NENA) was used as a deterrent coating for a triple base propellant (TBP) that finds application in large caliber guns. Closed vessel (CV) evaluation was performed to study the ballistic performance of the deterred propellant. A TBP containing nitrocellulose (NC), nitroglycerine (NG) and nitroguanidine (NQ) was coated with an energetic plasticizer using a solution of Bu-NENA. The Bu-NENA coated propellant exhibited inhibition to burning resulting in a reduction in the values of the ballistic parameters viz. (dP/dt)max, burning rate coefficient (ß) and relative vivacity (RV), while the pressure index (a) and rise time were increased. The trends obtained during this work display the potential of Bu-NENA as deterrent.