Model-based Gun Propellant Formulations

Abstract

New energetic materials, new explosives, and propellant formulations have traditionally been developed through the following long-standing process. Chemical structures of new energetic compounds are identified and the discovery of suitable synthesis procedures for these new candidates becomes the target of initial research efforts. These synthesis procedures once identified, are repeated and further optimized until the process using laboratory methods is efficient enough to produce small quantities of material. Exploratory development programs are then initiated to formulate, evaluate and further scale-up the synthesis of these materials. These steps are reproduced and repeated to further provide enough maternal for assessing the new composition's performance, sensitivity, safety and vulnerability properties. Once the properties of the composition have been cataloged, the data is made available to program managers and weapon systems designers, and the composition is offered as a potential candidate for incorporation into their programs. Based on the information provided from the basic research and exploratory development efforts, the customer or user may then select a composition that either offers some degree of improvement in their respective programs or which help them meet some predefined performance requirements. Once again, steps can then be undertaken to scale-up and make even larger quantities of material for use in advanced testing and evaluation.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 16, 1999
Accession Number
ADA480907

Entities

Organizations

  • Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Burning Rate
  • Computer Programs
  • Cost Analysis
  • Energetic Materials
  • Energy Consumption
  • Explosives
  • Geometry
  • Gun Propellants
  • Materials
  • Materials Laboratories
  • Materials Processing
  • Materials Testing
  • Production
  • Propellant Grains
  • Propellants
  • Solid Waste
  • Standards

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Rocket Propulsion.
  • Systems Analysis and Design