Recovery of Shock-Loaded XM46 Liquid Propellant.
Abstract
The response of XM46 liquid propellant (LP) to a single shock wave is studied. LP commonly experiences shock-release-recompression when impacted in a storage container. The goal here is to determine whether during such an event potentially sensitizing chemical reactions occur during passage of the initial shock wave. Shocked LP samples were recovered and analyzed for evidence of chemical reaction. The technique for recovering shocked LP samples was developed by using water as an inert surrogate for liquid propellant. Recovery was successful after a shock of 4.8 GPa. Seven additional tests were conducted on XM46; some additional technique modification was required during these tests. Both the development of the recovery technique and the chemical response of the LP are discussed. For a shock in the range of 5.1-6.1 GPa, the LP burned. This somewhat contradicts previous LP sensitivity results; several possible explanations are given. For additional tests in the range of 1.1-3.6 GPa, no visible evidence of reaction was observed. Fourier transform inirared/cylindrical internal reflectance (FTIR/CIR) and microreflectance FTIR spectroscopy of recovered samples generally supported this observation. From these limited data it is tentatively concluded that no significant chemical reactions occur during shock of vfrgin LP at less than 2.4 GPa. More tests are recommended to confirm this conclusion.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA318374
Entities
People
- Anthony Canami
- Patrick Baker
- Rose Pesce-rodriguez
Organizations
- United States Army Research Laboratory