Dynamic Mechanical and Fracture Properties of Some Double and Triple Base GunPropellants

摘要

Dynamic mechanical tests and two types of fracture test were carried out on gunpropellants of a range of compositions and made by different processes. Double base propellants, and triple base propellants containing 15%, 30% and 48% picrite, were made by the full solvent process, and one triple base propellant containing 48% picrite was made by the semi-solvent process. Dynamic mechanical and impact fracture tests were carried out on machined bars and low rate compression tests were also carried out on grains. The propellants were tested in both the as-received state and also after annealing and ageing. Filler content and annealing were found to have a large effect on the dynamic mechanical properties but these factors had a much smaller effect on fracture behaviour. No correlation between the results of dynamic mechanical measurements and fracture tests could be found. Propellant grain testing appeared to give more reliable fracture data than the impact testing of bars. Perforated propellant grains, Grain compression.