COMBUSTION BEHAVIOR OF PROGRAMMED SPLITTING STICK PROPELLANTS

摘要

Programmed splitting stick (PSS) propellants offer a new method of controlling pressure-time traces by increasing the burning surface area at the onset of splitting. This increase in burning surface area, also referred to as progressivity, leads to a higher performance of existing guns. For practical use of PSS charges, however, one has to solve the problem of premature splitting of the grains that produces overpressurization of the gun chamber. Premature splitting could be caused by either end seal failure or by dynamic loads acting on the grains. A reliable end seal has been developed in this study. It was found that premature fracture of the propellant due to dynamic loads can be controlled by selecting propellants with appropriate mechanical characteristics and grain length, and by carefully designing the ignition system.