Developing an understanding of the role of lead-based ballistic modifiers in the combustion of nitrocellulose- and nitroglycerin-based propellants
Abstract
Double-base propellants currently rely on the use of lead additives to control burning rate pressures. Attempts to replace lead with less toxic alternatives, such as bismuth, copper, iron or tin have met with only partial success. One of the major limiting obstacles in developing lead-free formulations is a lack of fundamental physical and chemical understanding of the role that lead plays in the energetic processes. This proposal aims to address this, through exploratory computational and experimental work options. This proposal seeks to explore the fundamental chemistry that gives lead its desirable performance properties through a combination of computational modeling and experimental techniques. Specifically, the proposed work will explore the hypothesis that lead modifiers decompose to create metal clusters that provide a catalytic surface for nitrate ester binding and subsequent decomposition. This proposal therefore seeks to develop an enhanced understanding of the particular properties that lead brings to propellant modifiers, specifically the ability to form clusters and to learn the strength of interaction with nitrate esters. The unique aspect of the proposal is the complementary use of state-of-the-art experimental and first principles simulation techniques, which taken together provide a more comprehensive interpretation into the complex interactions that exist between propellants and ballistic modifiers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2019
- Source ID
- W911NF1810389
Entities
People
- Colin R. Pulham
Organizations
- Army Contracting Command
- United States Army
- University of Edinburgh