Condensed-Phase Processes during Solid Propellant Combustion. 1. Preliminary Chemical and Microscopic Examination of Extinguished Propellant Samples

Abstract

Burning propellant samples are quenched, and the burned surfaces are examined microscopically and by chemical analysis. Studies are in progress on a series of propellants including XM39, M30, JA2, RDX, HMX, HMX/PU, and HMP/ polyester ('HMX2') compositions. Preliminary results on quenched samples of XM39 burned at low pressures show evidence of a liquid layer approximately 100-300 micron thick. SEM examination reveals little if any evidence of degradation below this liquid layer. GCMS analysis shows that the stabilizer is depleted considerably in the surface layers of quenched samples, presumably by reaction with nitrogen oxides formed by decomposition of RDX and NC. HPLC results show that there is a significant increase the very small amounts possibly present as impurities. (jes)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 1990
Accession Number
ADA225581

Entities

People

  • Martin S. Miller
  • Michael A. Schroder
  • Robert A. Fifer
  • Rose A. Pesce-rodriguez

Organizations

  • Ballistic Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Barometric Pressure
  • Chemical Analysis
  • Chemistry
  • Gas Chromatography
  • Jet Propulsion
  • Liquid Chromatography
  • Mass Spectra
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Military Research
  • Nitrogen Oxides
  • Phase
  • Propellant Grains
  • Propellants
  • Spectroscopy
  • Transition Temperature

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Rocket Propulsion.
  • Semiconductor Device Technology