9th International NC Symposium 2023
ROXEL (UK Rocket Motors) Ltd are delighted to host the 9th International Symposium (2023) to be held at the Edgbaston Park Hotel, Birmingham, United Kingdom. The theme of this symposium is “Formulating with Nitrocellulose”. Further Information.
| Confirmed Speakers |
| Conceptual review of the interaction between a solvent system and a nitrocellulose system in the preparation of propellant dough for extrusion |
| Mario Paquet, General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Valleyfield, Canada |
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At the last symposium in Bergerac, a conceptual review of the fibre structure of cotton/wood cellulose and nitrocellulose and effect on nitration and solvent reactivity was presented. The presentation was concluded on a summary of the range of expected behavior of nitrocellulose toward solvent systems. It was proposed that the interactions between NC and solvent systems are basically of two types: the molecular affinity of a nitrocellulose system for a solvent system and the fiber permeability of a nitrocellulose system for a solvent system. The second part of that presentation is now proposed. The preparation of a soft visco-plastic material for extrusion is a very important step in making nitrocellulose based propellant. The interaction between the solvent system and the nitrocellulose must be adjusted to produce a material that has the right consistency and cohesion in order to be extrudable. At the same time it must achieve the right level of gelatinization to make a base grain (prior to surface moderation) of required vivacity. It must also have the correct solid to liquid ratio in order to obtain the desired geometry after shrinking from solvent extraction. One example of this is in the production of single base propellant dough which are a mixed of two grades of nitrocellulose, one soluble and one insoluble. The ratio of soluble and insoluble grade is of great importance. Also, the solubility/swelling characteristics of the nitrocellulose are also of great importance to predict “doughing up” performance in a mixer of propellant soft visco-plastic dough and final combustion characteristics of a base grain. This presentation will be a conceptual review of the process by which single base propellant dough are formed by the interrelation between the solvent system and the nitrocellulose system. The predictive effect on the level of gelatinization, the mechanical resilience of the dough and the combustion properties of the base grain. It will proposed a definition of the NC reactivity to solvent systems and a possible analytical strategy to measure it. Some of these important nitrocellulose characteristics are not captured by actual nitrocellulose Mil-DTL specification .Possible way forward to improve the specification will be proposed. |
| 25mm Gun Demonstration of Nitrogen-doped Boron Propellants |
| Thelma Manning1, Michael Fair1, Nathan Peabody1, Viral Panchal1, Eugene Rozumov1, James Burns2, Paul Matter3. 1 US Army RDECOM ARDEC, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ, 2 Veritay, Inc., 3 P H Matter, Ohio State University, Ohio |
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The U.S. Army has a need for more powerful propellants with a balanced/stoichiometric ratio of fuel and oxidant to provide an advantage to its warfighters. In addition to improved power, balanced propellants have reduced blast force and secondary flash, an important advantage in terms of signature for the soldiers. However, balanced propellants lead to accelerated wear and erosion of gun barrels due to the higher flame temperature. Ceramic additives in the propellant can theoretically prevent barrel deterioration by coating the inside of barrels. Implementation of composite propellants with conventional ceramics (i.e. alumina) has not resulted in improved wear and erosion resistance to date. Due to challenges with dispersing the particles in the propellant, as well as incomplete sublimation, propellant and ceramic composites that produce regenerative wear-resistant coatings have not been effectively demonstrated. Boron nitride (in the form of crystalline hexagonal BN or amorphous (BN) has the ideal properties of a propellant additive. Boron nitride can form a lubricating coating on barrel walls. Further, boron can dope steel, which drastically improves its strength and wear resistance. However, to form a thin coating that reduces abrasion, boron nitride must be in the form of a nano-particle, and must be evenly dispersed in the propellant. Further, the production of nano-scale boron nitride must be economical for implementation in advanced propellant composites. These materials can be dispersed in propellants to form a stable composite. In this project, the technology will be demonstrated in a gun test stand. A successful demonstration will allow the technology to be transitioned to full scale gun demonstrations in the 155mm artillery propelling charge. The currently fielded 155mm artillery propelling charge, M232/M232A1, has exhibited spiral wear and erosion problems. This phenomenon has been attributed to a number of factors such as the wear reducing liner that contains Titanium Dioxide, Talc and wax, and the interaction of the propellant combustion products on the projectile rotating band within the gun tube wall. Modeling & Simulation studies performed from Benet Labs has determined that the reaction of Titanium Dioxide with the Talc and wax produced a residue that was hard to remove. This product was an abrasive residue (number 80 ceramic grit) that built up in the gun barrel causing a spiral rifling imbalance and accelerated gun barrel erosion which markedly shortened gun barrel life. Boron nitride is an interesting potential additive to propellants that could reduce gun wear effects in advanced propellants. It has the properties of providing metal coating/lubricating, and steel hardening properties and nitrogen cooling. During propellant 25mm gun firing, the additive will either form hexagonal boron nitride, which can provide a protective coating and lubricating barrier on the inside of the barrel walls, or oxidize to form boron oxide. Boron oxide could also coat the barrel, or dope the steel with boron. Additionally, because of its low molecular weight, boron nitride oxidation could help to lower the propellant flame temperature. For this testing, erosion test steel sleeves to enable testing of the propellant samples (baseline and three additive levels for each propellant) with two different types of erosion sleeves will be fabricated. In this paper, results from the 25mm ballistics gun firing of triple base propellant with boron nitride nano-composite propellants will be presented. This presentation will include vacuum thermal stability, closed bomb and 25mm wear and erosion gun testing. Detailed characterization of the boron nitride incorporated into gun propellant formulations, before and after 25mm firing, will be shown by methods including electron microscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Analysis of the post-mortem samples will also be presented. This promising boron nitride additive shows the ability to improve wear and erosion resistance, without any destabilizing affects to the propellant. Potential applications could include longer barrel life for large diameter fire arms, and rocket propellants with reduced nozzle erosion rates. |
| Development of a REACH compliant LOVA propellant for 120mm Tank applications |
| Mark J Penny1, Matt Parker1, Josh Walker1, Anne Marie Wilton2. 1 BAE Systems, Glascoed, Usk, Monmouthshire, NP15 1XL, 2 BAE Systems, Georgetown Reception Centre, Houston Road, Johnston, PA6 7GB. |
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BAE Systems Land (UK) has been developing new gun propellant formulations over a number of years at their Research and Development facility in South Wales, UK. LOVA TPE propellants have formed a large part of this development, concentrating on reducing sensitiveness, while improving stability, function and mechanical properties. |
| Thermochemical and Crystalline Interactions of Nitrocellulose and Energetic Plasticizers |
| Eugene Rozumov, Kelley Caflin, Viral Panchal, Thelma Manning. U.S. Army DEVCOM AC, Picatinny Arsenal, Picatinny, NJ 07806 |
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In this effort, we examined the interactions of binders and plasticizers in propellants. Specifically, we varied the ratio of nitrocellulose (NC) to diethylenglycol-dinitrate (DEGDN), and examined the effects of mixing in an acoustic LABRam mixer and a sigma blade horizontal mixer. We then examined the samples with x-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). From the this data we were able to quantify the crystallinity in the samples and identify the level at which the plasticizer no longer provides any additional benefit in disrupting intermolecular polymer interactions leading to no further reduction in crystallinity of the nitrocellulose. This technique can provide the basis by which novel plasticizers can be analyzed to determine their optimal concentrations in NC based gun and rocket propellant formulations. |
| Solvent cast Additive Manufacturing (AM) & textile techniques for Energetic Materials (EM): From first formulations to proof of concept |
| Sébastien CUVELIER & Clara DEBIESSE. Eurenco France |
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Requests to provide new propelling charges architectures as well as better performances brought Eurenco to the development of additive manufacturing and textile techniques. Based on our knowledge of nitrocellulose combustible items manufactured from solvent cast processes, R&D teams have developed a device dedicated to the production of 3D items and textile yarns. |
| Towards a comprehensive understanding of the decomposition of nitrocellulose |
| Manfred Bohn. Fraunhofer ICT, 76307 Pfinztal, Germany |
| Effects of Energetic Plasticiser Impurities in the Formulation of NC-based Binders and their removal via a Thermal and Chemical Treatment. |
| Harry Hope, Carly Sharp, Ben Bryant, Ben Goold, AWE |
| Influence of humidity on the decomposition process of double base rocket propellant |
| Alonso Romero Jabalquinto1, Nathalie Maia1, Yahaya Mohammed1, and Philip P Gill2. 1 Centre for Defence Chemistry, Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Cranfield University, Faringdon Rd, SN6 8LA, Shrivenham, Swindon. 2 Roxel (UK Rocket Motors) Ltd, Summerfield Lane, Kidderminster, Worcestershire. DY11 7RZ |
| Decomposition of Nitrocellulose under different conditions |
| Moritz Heil. Fraunhofer ICT, 76307 Pfinztal, Germany |
| Thermal decomposition mechanism of nitrocellulose investigated by chemiluminescence |
| Rudi Hood1, Ian Wallace1 Nathalie Mai1 , and Philip P Gill2. 1 Centre for Defence Chemistry, Cranfeld University, Defence Academy of the UK, Shrivenham, Swindon, SN6 8LA, UK. 2 Roxel (UK Rocket Motors) Ltd., Summerfield, Kidderminster, DY11 7RZ, United Kingdom |
| Accounting for super-, plateau- and mesa-rate burning by lead and copper-based ballistic modifiers in double-base propellants: a computational study |
| Lisette R. Warren1, Aaron Rowell1, Patrick McMaster2, Colin R. Pulham1, Carole A. Morrison 1. 1 School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK. 2 DOSG-ST1, NH4, MoD Abbey Wood, Bristol, BS34 8JH, UK |
| Alternative Approach to Nitrocellulose Requalification Through the Expansion of Qualitative NC Parameters |
| Tom Bailey, Richard Johnson. Roxel (UK Rocket Motors) Ltd., Summerfield, Kidderminster, DY11 7RZ, United Kingdom |
| Compatibility Testing of NC Propellants – What does it mean? |
| Christopher Hollands1, Romuald Van Riet2, Juliette Lo3. 1 MSIAC, 2 Belgium Royal Military Academy, Brussels, Belgium, 3 ENSTA Bretagne, Brest, France |
| Understanding the Structural Properties of Nitrocellulose |
| Edmund Morris1, Colin Pulham1, Patrick McMaster2, Carole Morrison1. 1 School of Chemistry, University of Edinburgh, Joseph Black Building, David Brewster Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3FJ, UK. 2 DOSG-ST1, NH4, MoD Abbey Wood, Bristol, BS34 8JH, UK |
| Effect of the flame structure on nitrocellulose-based materials deflagration properties |
| Frederick Paquet, Mario Paquet. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Valleyfield, Canada |
| The granulometric composition of NC: Definition, description, analytical strategy and proposed quantification methods |
| Mario Paquet, Ian Levac. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Valleyfield, Canada |
| NC Fineness versus NC Granulometric Composition |
| Mario Paquet, Ian Levac. General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems, Valleyfield, Canada |
| Modeling the mass transfer limited nitration of dense cellulose materials |
| Francis Sullivan1, Philip Abbate1, Laurent Simon2, Nikolaos Ioannidis3, Subhash Patel3, Zohar Ophir3, Costas Gogos3, Michael Jaffe4, and Shakeel Tirmizi4. 1 US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806, USA. 2 Otto H. York Department of Chemical, Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights, Newark NJ 07102, USA. 3 Polymer Processing Institute, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights, Newark NJ 07102, USA. 4 New Jersey Innovation Institute at New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights, Newark NJ 07102, USA |
| A Study of the Kinetics of Viscosity Reduction During the Stabilization of Military Grade Nitrocellulose |
| Francis Sullivan1, Philip Abbate1, Costas Gogos2, Zohar Ophir2, Subhash Patel2, Jie Wu2, Xiaobing Li2, Nikolaos Ioannidis2, and Robert Ivko2. 1 US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Armaments Center, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806, USA. 2 Polymer Processing Institute, New Jersey Institute of Technology, University Heights, Newark NJ 07102, USA |
| Advances in Nitration of Densified Celluloses |
| John Fairweather, Wolfgang Zechner, Daniel Farnesi, Christian Gerhart. Bowas-Induplan Chemie Ges.m.b.H |
| Continuous Nitration of Microcrystalline and Biocelluloses |
| Jos van den Elshout1, Joost van Lingen1, Denise Meuken1, Mark Fuller2. 1 TNO, The Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, The Netherlands. 2 Aptim Federal Services, LLC, United States of America |
| Propelling the Sustainability Agenda: Assessing the Contributions of Nitrocellulose Production to Climate Change |
| Ciaran Callaghan. Phoenix NC Ltd. |
Sponsors
Local Organising Committee
- Philip Gill, Tom Bailey, Sian Layton, Roxel (UK Rocket Motors) Ltd., Summerfield, Kidderminster, DY11 7RZ, United Kingdom.
- Nathalie Mai, Monir Moniruzzaman. Centre for Defence Chemistry, Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Cranfield University, , SN6 8LA, UK
