Research on the Synthesis and Performance of a New Type of Neutral Polymer Bonding Agent

In order to improve the mechanical properties of nitrate ester plasticized polyether (NEPE) propellants, 3-allylic hydantoin was synthesized by hydantoin, potassium hydroxide and 3-bromopropene, and then a new type of intermediate polymer bonding agent (NPBA) was synthesized by 3-allylic hydantoin, acrylonitrile, hydroxyethyl acrylate and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate. At the same time, two traditional neutral polymer bonding agents were synthesized for comparative study. Through the contact angle test, the bond performance prediction shows that: compared with the two traditional bond agents, the bond work between the new bond agent and oxidant (ammonium nitrate, ammonium perchlorate) is greater, indicating that the bond between the new bond agent and oxidant is stronger.

Identifying Thermal Decomposition Products of Nitrate Ester Explosives Using Gas Chromatography–Vacuum Ultraviolet Spectroscopy: An Experimental and Computational Study

Analysis of nitrate ester explosives (e.g., nitroglycerine) using gas chromatography–vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy (GC–VUV) results in their thermal decomposition into nitric oxide, water, carbon monoxide, oxygen, and formaldehyde. These decomposition products exhibit highly structured spectra in the VUV that is not seen in larger molecules. Computational analysis using time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) was utilized to investigate the excited states and vibronic transitions of these decomposition products. The experimental and computational results are compared with those in previous literature using synchrotron spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), photoabsorption spectroscopy, and other computational excited state methods. It was determined that a benchtop GC–VUV detector gives comparable results to those previously reported, and TDDFT could predict vibronic spacing and model molecular orbital diagrams.

Study on the Ignition Process and Characteristics of the Nitrate Ester Plasticized Polyether Propellant

In this study, a CO2 laser ignition experimental system was built to study the ignition process and characteristics of the Nitrate Ester Plasticized Polyether (NEPE) propellant. The effect of the energy density, ingredients, and the grain size distribution of the propellant on the ignition process was investigated using a CO2 laser igniter, a high-speed camera, and a tungsten-rhenium thermocouple. Four types of NEPE propellants were tested under different laser heat fluxes, and the ignition delay time, the ignition temperature, and the ignition energy were obtained. Experimental results show that the ignition process of the NEPE propellant can be divided into three stages, namely the first-gasification stage, the first-flame stage, and the ignition delay stage. When the energy density is lower than the ignition energy threshold, the ignition process cannot be achieved even under continuous energy loading. The increase of the energy density can lead to the decrease of the ignition delay time but has little effect on the ignition temperature. The ingredients and grain size distribution have great effects on both the ignition delay time and the ignition temperature. The grain size effect of aluminum is the largest compared with that of Ammonium Perchlorate (AP) and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX), while the grain size effect of AP is larger than that of HMX.