Microbial Attack of Nitrocellulose.

Abstract

The present study is directed toward the use of microorganisms to remove energetic nitrate ester groups from the surface of propellant grains in order to obtain the requisite control of the propellant burning rate. In summary, it has been shown that Aspergillus fumigatus can utilize nitrogen from pyroxylin suspended in a nitrogen deficient medium if a supplementary carbon source is provided. It appears that the organism does not directly attack the nitrocellulose but rather utilizes the nitrogen resulting from the hydrolysis of the nitrocellulose nitrate ester group. Further, it appears that the organism caused enhanced hydrolysis of the nitrocellulose.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 18, 1982
Accession Number
ADA117393

Entities

People

  • Bruce W. Brodman
  • Michael P. Devine

Organizations

  • United States Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter IED

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ball Powder Propellants
  • Burning Rate
  • Chemical Analysis
  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Esters
  • Explosives
  • Fungi
  • High Temperature
  • Hydrolysis
  • Magnesium Compounds
  • Materials
  • Nitrocellulose
  • Nitrogen
  • Organic Compounds
  • Propellant Grains
  • Propellants

Readers

  • Microbial Pathology
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Rocket Propulsion.

Technology Areas

  • Biotechnology