Study on the Performance of the Modified Single Base Gun Propellant

The modified single base gun propellant was prepared from single base propellant grain by impregnation with blasting oil, followed by deterring with deterrent in water medium. The concentration profile of function component in the propellant was studied by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Microspectroscopy. The combustion performance of the propellant was investigated by means of closed-bomb test and interior ballistic test. The barrel erosion was characterized by erosion tube test. It is found that the curve of nitroglycerine concentration is just like a parabola along the radius and the polymer ester concentration in the near surface of propellant decreases exponentially from the surface inwards. Compared with the single base gun propellant, the modified single base gun propellant burns more progressively and the value of Pr increases from 0.097 to 0.424. The interior ballistic performance for this propellant charge is improved obviously. The muzzle velocity increases by 5.0% from 886.6 m/s to 931.3 m/s. The modified single base gun propellant has the characteristic of low temperature sensitivity and the barrel erosion of this propellant decreases by 26.6% at least. The modified single base gun propellant has the advantages of higher muzzle velocity, higher combustion progressivity, low erosion and low temperature sensitivity.