In-Depth Chemistry in Plasma-Exposed M30 and JA2 Gun Propellants

JA2 and M30 recovered from interrupted ETC-closed bomb, interrupted ETC small-scale chamber, and open-air experiments were subjected to chemical and microscopic analysis. Evidence of subsurface reaction in both M30 and JA2 has been discovered using a desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Pesce-Rodriguez, Rose A, Beyer, Richard A, Kinkennon, Amy E, Guercio, Miguel Del, Kaste, Pamela J
Format: Report
Language:English
Subjects:
Ammunition and Explosives
D-GC-MS(DESORPTION GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY MASS SPECTROSCOPY)
ELECTROTHERMAL CHEMICAL GUNS
ELECTROTHERMAL CHEMICALS
ETC
GUN PROPELLANTS
INDEPTH CHEMISTRY
JA2 PROPELLENTS
M30 PROPELLANT
Plasma Physics and Magnetohydrodynamics
PLASMA PROPELLANT INTERACTIONS
PLASMAS(PHYSICS)
RADIATION EFFECTS
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Summary:JA2 and M30 recovered from interrupted ETC-closed bomb, interrupted ETC small-scale chamber, and open-air experiments were subjected to chemical and microscopic analysis. Evidence of subsurface reaction in both M30 and JA2 has been discovered using a desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (D-OC-MS) method to detect low levels of NO in the propellant. It appears that for M30, profiles for radiation-induced denitration of nitrate esters are consistent with Beer's law, and that effects occur as deep as 0.5 mm into the exposed surface. Radiation-induced denitration in JA2 has been detected as deep as 0.75 mm from the exposed surface, but profiles are not consistent with Beer's law. It is suspected that denitration at and below the exposed JA2 surface occurs mostly in locations where large graphite particles are found. Rough estimates of graphite particle temperature when exposed to plasma radiation are in excess of those required for denitration to occur. Microscopic examination of plasma-exposed propellant indicates several features (pits, gouges, blisters, wormholes, etc.) that increase the surface area of the propellant and can contribute to an increased burning rate.