Characterization of Bu-NENA/NC Low Sensitive Double-base Propellant

Bu-NENA (N-butyl-N-nitratoethylnitramine)/NC (nitrocellulose) double-base propellant was formulated with Bu-NENA as a replacement for NG (nitroglycerin) and the NG/NC propellant was also prepared as a control. The sensitivity, evaporation, thermal decomposition and mechanical properties of the double-base propellants were investigated. Results show that the friction sensitivity of the Bu-NENA/NC propellant drops to 18% from 94%, and the H₅₀ of the impact sensitivity enhances to 27.1 cm from 8.1 cm. Thermogravimetric analysis of Bu-NENA/NC propellant reveals that the onset temperature and the peak temperature of first decomposition stage reach to 144.6℃ and 179.5℃ from 120.3℃ and 151.5℃, respectively. The value of evaporation rate for Bu-NENA/NC propellant at 80, 90,100℃ is lower than that of NG/NC propellant,which indicates that the volatility of the Bu-NENA/NC propellant decreases. Bu-NENA/NC double-base propellant has better mechanical property than NG/NC propellant and the low temperature elongation at break point rises to 13.63%, which is 1.63 times to that of the NG/NC propellant.