LOVA propellants based on RDX and GAP energetic plasticizers - Part 2

Abstract. LOVA gun propellants are essential components for the development of insensitive munitions. A typical LOVA propellant consists in an energetic filler (very fine RDX or HMX crystals) and a binder matrix comprising CAB/CA inert polymer, NC energetic polymer and an inert plasticizer. The general aim of our study was to develop a NC free LOVA propellant, based on fine RDX, CAB/CA and an energetic GAP plasticizer, and a processing method that allows simultaneous generation and polymer coating of very fine RDX particles, without the use of complicated/dangerous milling procedures to be applied to RDX. In tis context a novel technique for the precipitation of RDX was developed allowing us to obtain micronic RDX crystals already embedded into a CA matrix, the composite being further processed by a typical solvent process for mixing and extrusion into propellant grains. Initial ballistic investigations using close vessel firings were also performed, in order to comparatively evaluate the ballistic parameters of the new propellant.