Various Carbon Materials Action on the Burning Rate Modifiers of Low-Calorie Double-Base Propellant

ABSTRACT

The effect of a combined ballistic modifier consisting of copper or nickel salts and carbon materials, such as carbon black and multi-walled carbon nanotubes, on the burning rate and the structure of the quenched combustion surface of low-calorie double-base propellant have been studied. Carbon nanotubes individually have a tangible effect on the burning rate, comparable to individual ballistic modifiers. CNT have the most significant effect on the efficiency of nickel-containing modifiers, significantly exceeding the impact of soot. Using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray electron-probe microanalysis, it has been established that CNT forms a more developed and more robust carbon frame on the combustion surface than carbon black. Significant burning rate growth is observed only when a carbon frame on the combustion surface is formed and substantial accumulation of the modifier particles occurs. The greater the degree of carbon frame coverage of combustion surface with the modifier, the greater the catalytic effect.

KEYWORDS:

• Burning rate
• double-base propellant
• ballistic modifiers
• scanning electron microscopy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by MUCTR. Project Number T-2020-005.