Studies on ballistic parameters of di-butyl phthalate-coated triple base propellant used in large caliber artillery gun ammunition

ABSTRACT

Triple base propellant (TBP) containing mainly nitrocellulose, nitroglycerine, and nitroguanidine has been manufactured and coated with plasticizer in the present work. The aim was to study ballistics of di-butyl phthalate (DBP)-coated TBP. DBP solution in ethanol containing nitrocellulose dope was used for coating onto the propellant grains. DBP-deterred propellant showed inhibition to burning, resulting in lowering the values of ballistic parameters namely peak pressure (P_max), dP_max, pressure index (α), and burning rate coefficient (β) during closed vessel firing. Increase in percentage of DBP in coating solution led to further decrease in ballistic parameters. Dynamic evaluation of the surface-moderated propellant showed comparatively lower muzzle velocity and chamber pressure for deterred propellant batches without leaving any unburnt particles in gun chamber at subzero temperatures with the lowest possible charge mass. The DBP-coated propellant can be useful in 155-mm artillery gun to achieve higher loading density as it has lower flame temperature and chamber pressure as compared to uncoated propellant which will result in increasing barrel life due to reduction in the barrel erosion.

KEYWORDS:

• deterred propellant
• di butyl phthalate
• force constant
• muzzle velocity
• progressive burning
• triple base propellant

Acknowledgments

The authors are highly grateful to Shri K P S Murthy, Outstanding Scientist & Director HEMRL for his kind support to carry out the work and permission for publication of the paper.