Towards the reliable chemical stability testing of the single base gunpowder using a microcalorimetry method

  • Milan М. Djokić Serbian Armed Forces, Central Logistic Base, 1st Logistic Center; University of Defence in Belgrade, Military Academy, Department for Military Chemical Engineering, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia https://orcid.org/0009-0005-4942-217X
  • Zoran J. Bajić University of Defence in Belgrade, Military Academy, Department for Military Chemical Engineering, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8492-3333
  • Vladimir D. Ignjatović University of Defence in Belgrade, Military Academy, Department for Military Chemical Engineering, Belgrade, Republic of Serbia https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5253-3224
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5937/vojtehg72-51113
Keywords: single base gunpowder, microcalorimetry, heat flow calorimetry, TAM III, STANAG 4582

Abstract


Introduction/purpose: Gunpowder is a type of explosive material (EM), a mixture of chemical compounds capable of releasing their potential energy in a very fast exothermic chemical reaction. This paper investigates the single base gunpowder samples.

Methods: Microcalorimetry (MC), or heat flow calorimetry (HFC), is the only modern method that monitors the direct cause of autoignition - the rate of heat release, which is a key factor for gunpowder storage explosive safety. It is based on high-sensitivity calorimeters which allow monitoring of chemical reactions at low speeds. The microcalorimeter "TAM III" was used and the method given by the NATO standard STANAG 4582. A very reliable result was obtained on the chemical stability of the observed single base gunpowder samples, as well as an assessment of its behavior in the next 10 years.

Results: The thermal activity of gunpowder depends on several factors, the most important of which are: chemical composition, size and shape of the gunpowder grain, the degree of decomposition of the gunpowder, storage conditions, etc. Namely, it is a much more exact and consistent indicator of the chemical stability of gunpowder compared to the critical diameter.

Conclusion: The MC method should be used both for monitoring the chemical stability of gunpowder during storage and for the prediction of the service life of gunpowder.

References

Bajić, Z. 2015. Inicijalni i brizantni eksplozivi. Belgrade: AGM knjiga. ISBN: 9788686363534.

Chelouche, S., Trache, D., Benayachi, Z.I., Tarchoun, A.F., Khimeche, K. & Mezroua, A. 2020. A New Procedure for Stability Control of Homogeneous Solid Propellants by Combination of Vacuum Stability Test, FTIR and PCA. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 45(7), pp.1088-1102. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/prep.201900424.

de Klerk, W.P.C. 2015. Assessment of Stability of Propellants and Safe Lifetimes. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, 40(3), pp.388-393. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1002/prep.201500040.

Grbović, L. & Stoiljković, S. 2005. Correlation of chemical stability estimation results of naturally and accelerated aging gun powders. Vojnotehnički glasnik/Military Technical Courier, 53(5), pp.442-450 (in Serbian). Available at: https://doi.org/10.5937/vojtehg0505442G.

Jelisavac, Lj., Stojiljković, S., Gačić, S., Brzić S. & Bobić, N. 2014. Comparative Examination of the Chemical Stability of Powders and Double – Base Rocket Propellants by Measuring Heat Activities and Stabilizer Content. Scientific Technical Review, 64(1), pp.48-54 [online]. Available at: https://scindeks.ceon.rs/article.aspx?artid=1820-02061401048J [Accessed: 20 May 2024].

Jeremić, R. 2007. Eksplozije i eksplozivi. Belgrade: Vojnoizdavački zavod (in Serbian). ISBN: 86-335-0207-0

Jeremić, R. & Grbović, L. 2006. The analysis of methodology for investigation of chemical stability of propellants. Vojnotehnički glasnik/Military Technical Courier, 54(4), pp.405-414 (in Serbian). Available at: https://doi.org/10.5937/vojtehg0604405J.

Rusly, S.N.A., Jamal, S.H., Samsuri, A., Noor, S.A.M. & Rahim, K.S.A. 2024. Stabilizer selection and formulation strategies for enhanced stability of single base nitrocellulose propellants: A review. Energetic Materials Frontiers, 5(1), pp.52-69. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enmf.2024.02.007.

-SORS. 1991. SORS 8069/91: Praćenje hemijske stabilnosti baruta i raketnih goriva. Belgrade: Standard odbrane Republike Srbije (in Serbian).

-STANAG. 2004. STANAG 4582 – Explosives, Nitrocellulose Based Propellants, Stability Test Procedures and Requirements using Heat Flow Calorimetry. Brussles: STANAG.

Stine, G.Y. 1991. An investigation into propellant stability. Analytical Chemistry, 63(8), pp.475A-478A. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1021/ac00008a742.

Published
2024/09/27
Issue
Vol. 72 No. 3 (2024): July - Setember
Section
Original Scientific Papers

Copyright (c) 2024 Milan Đokić, Zoran J. Bajić, Vladimir D. Ignjatović

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Proposed Creative Commons Copyright Notices

Proposed Policy for Military Technical Courier (Journals That Offer Open Access)

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.

  1. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  2. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).