Comparison of LOVA and single base propellant ignition
conference paper
The ignition behaviour of an RDX/CAB based LOVA propellant has been investigated and compared to the ignition of a conventional single base propellant. Both propellants were ignited with black powder, and with an alternative igniter composition for the LOVA propellant, which has been tested as a replacement for black powder. The alternative igniter composition was chosen on the basis of thermodynamic calculations of oxygen balance, produced combustion products and heat output, as well as combustion test results obtained at ambient conditions. The ignition behaviour has been tested using a closed vessel of 700 cc, which is equipped with a special insert and a small piccolo tube containing the igniter material. The test results are evaluated according to a method presented by Taylor et al. [1]. The minimally required igniter mass is for the combination of the LOVA propellant and the alternative igniter composition higher than for the conventional system, but far less than for the combination LOVA propellant-black powder. The fact that the conventional system is much more sensitive with respect to ignition than the LOVA propellant systems appears to be related to the different decomposition behaviours of the propellants, as the LOVA propellant requires significantly more heat input for decomposition than the conventional propellant.
TNO Identifier
183102
Source title
39th International Annual Conference of ICT "Energetic Materials: Processing and Product Design", Karlsruhe, Germany, 24-27 June 2008
Pages
V25 (12 p. )
Files
To receive the publication files, please send an e-mail request to TNO Repository.