Thermal Conductivities and Diffusivities of Solid Gun Propellants

Abstract

Measurements are reported of the thermal conductivities and thermal dilfusivities of five U.S. Army solid gun propellants over the temperature range −20°C to + 50°C at atmospheric pressure. The propellants are members of the DRL Research Series propellants that have been widely distributed to research laboratories in the U. S. These propellants include representative types from each class of materials that are either in the fielded inventory or experimental (“X” prefix), i.e., a single base (M 10), a double base (M9), a homogeneous triple base (JA2), a composite triple base (M30), and a composite nitramine (XM39). The conductivities and diffusivities were measured simultaneously using a new experimental technique developed specifically for the purpose. The experiment is designed to approximate the mathematical idealization of a one-dimensional, infinite, two-component, composite solid whose planar interface is subjected to a step-function heat flux. The average values obtained are estimated to be accurate to within ± 5%, and least-squares polynomial fits are provided for convenient use of the data in calculations.

keywords:

• Thermal conductivity
• thermal dilfusivity
• solid propellant
• gun propellant