Synthesis and evaluation of HEDOs in propellant formulations

Abstract. The feasibility of high-energy formulations, able to sustain high performances while using significant amounts of burning rate modifiers was investigated for spherical propellants. The latter are traditionally used for small-calibre applications, and this work investigates the use of HEDOs (high-energy dense oxidisers) to provide enough oxygen to maximise the combustion potential of the nitrocellulose matrix and achieve higher performances. This may be a potential route to broaden the applicability of spherical propellants to mediumcalibre applications. Tris(2,2,2-trinitroethoxy)methane, also known as TNEF or trinitroethyl formate[1], and SMX (1,4-dinitrato-2,3-dinitro-2,3-bis(nitratomethylene) butane[2]) were chosen for the study, synthesised and characterised, on a hundred-gram scale. The processability of formulations containing SMX and TNEF was studied. Spherical and extruded propellants were prepared, containing increasing amounts of TNEF or SMX using green stabilisers [3, 4]. The results obtained for the synthesis of the additive, the formulation and production of the propellants are presented in this poster. The next steps will consist in the evaluation of the propellants in closed-vessel and ballistic tests.