Prediction of Safe Life of Propellants

Abstract : The measure of chemical stability and the prediction of safe storage life is of prime interest to the manufacturer and use of propellants. This report discusses the results obtained with standard artillery propellant when exposed to artificial ageing at various temperatures. The measurements of residual stabilizer versus time have been used as the criteria for propellant deterioration. A kinetic interpretation of this deterioration phenomena employing Berthelot's Law demonstrates that a family of straight lines can be plotted characteriizing the length of time necessary at the various test temperatures to obtain a given variation of stabilizer content. By establishing realistic cut-off points in regard to stabilizer content, propellant safe life may be safely calculated at any storage temperature. (Author)