Nitrocellulose rocket propellants

Rocket Propellants. SoHd rocket propellants are mostly based on chemically cross-linked polymeric elastomers to provide the mechanical properties required in launchings and the environmental conditions experienced in storage, shipment, and handling (see Elastomers, synthetic). Double-and triple-based nitrocellulose propellants are also employed as rocket propellants. 

The advanced applications for nitrocellulose plastisol propellants require that they be integrally bonded to the motor case. Successful case bonding for the multiyear storage life of a rocket calls for special adhesives and liners which are completely compatible with these highly plasticized propellants. Best results have been obtained with a combination of an impervious rubber liner and a crosslinked adhesive system with a limited affinity for the plasticizers used in the propellants. Examples of effective liners are silica-filled butyl rubber and chlorinated synthetic rubber. Epoxy polyamides, isocyanate-crosslinked cellulose esters, and combinations of crosslinked phenol-formaldehyde and polyvinyl formal varnishes have proved to be effective adhesives between propellant and impervious liners. Pressure curing of the propellants helps... 

Gun and rocket propellants are based on nitrocellulose (NC-SB), NC with NG as second principal ingredient (DB) and nitroguanidine (picrite) in addition to NC and NG ( ) propellants. Propellant formulations also contain stabilizer, plasticizer, coolant and ballistic modifier, in addition to their principal ingredients. 

Nitroglycerine is a very powerful secondary explosive with a high brisance, i.e. shattering effect, and it is one of the most important and frequently-used components for gelatinous commercial explosives. Nitroglycerine also provides a source of high energy in propellant compositions, and in combination with nitrocellulose and stabilizers it is the principal component of explosive powders and solid rocket propellants. 

Double-base rocket propellant Nitrocellulose (13.25% N content) Nitroglycerine Plasticizer Other additives 2000 2500... 

Propellants include both rocket and gun propellants. Most rocket propellants are either Hazard Class 1.3 composites, which are based on a rubber binder, and ammonium perchlorate (AP) oxidizer, and a powdered aluminum (Al) fuel or Hazard Class 1.1 composites, which are based on a nitrate ester, usually nitroglycerine (NG), nitrocellulose (NC), HMX, AP, or polymer-bound NC. If a binder is used, it usually is an isocyanate-cured polyester or polyether. Some propellants contain combustion modifiers, such as lead oxide. 

High explosives may be class d according to their physical properties as powdery, meltable, semi-meltable and plastic. Propellants may be grouped on the basis of chemical composition into gun powder and similar mixtures, nitrocellulose (single base) and nitroglycerine (double base) powders, With respect to their uses and some properties they are divided into black powder, smokeless and flashless powders, and rocket propellants. 

This term denotes propellants containing two main components nitrocellulose and nitroglycerine or other liquid nitrate esters. Double base powders are important solid rocket propellants. 

Nitrocellulose, which is the most important component of single-base and double-base powders and multibase rocket propellants. It is also used to gelatinize commercial explosives. Outside the explosives industry, it is also used in the manufacture of lacquers and varnishes ... 

Uses Addictive with PETN in explosives compositions, ingredient in high performance rocket propellants with nitrocellulose, or RDX, and in plastic explosives when mixed with RDX, TNT, HMX, PETN, followed by treatment with a high energy plasticizer. ... 

DNAN forms colorless crystals with a melting point of 120 Celsius. It is fairly soluble in hot water, hot ethanol, methanol, and acetone. It is less soluble in cold water, cold ethanol, and insoluble in chloroform, benzene, ether, and petroleum ether. DNAN is somewhat hygroscopic, and moisture slowly decomposes it—should be stored in a desiccator. A small sample bums leaving a residue of carbon when ignited—a small sample can be detonated by the blow of a hammer. DNAN can be used in explosive compositions when alloyed with TNT, or other low melting secondary explosives, gun propellants with nitrocellulose, nitro starch, or nitroglycerine, and rocket propellants when mixed with ammonium perchlorate. DNAN also demonstrates usefulness for priming mixtures with lead azide, lead styphnate, or diazodinitrophenol, and for use in fireworks. ... 

Nitrocellulose compositions used in explosive applications vary from 10 to 13.5 percent of nitrogen. The thermal stability of nitrocellulose decreases with increasing nitrogen content. It dissolves in organic solvents to form a gel. The gel is used as gun propellant, double-rocket propellant, and gelatine and semi-gelatine commercial blasting explosives. 

---