Thermochemical properties, ballistic parameters and sensitivity of new RDX-based propellants

Abstract

New RDX-based propellants were obtained and investigated. The heat of combustion was determined in a calorimeter and the pressure history was measured in a manometric bomb. Ballistic parameters, such as maximum pressure, propellant force and covolume of gaseous products, as well as the dynamic vivacity, were determined based on the experimental results. The sensitivities to friction and impact were determined for the tested propellants. Calculations of the ballistic characteristics (the heat of combustion, propellant force, covolume and ratio of specific heats of the combustion products, and ballistic energy) were performed. The theoretical parameters were compared with the experimental data and quite good agreement was found between them. The largest differences occurred in the cases of propellant force and covolume. This disagreement is explained. An analysis of the test results and a comparison of the parameters of the RDX-based propellants and the JA2 propellant allowed the possibility of using the tested propellants in ammunition to be assessed.