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Reactions in Stabilizer and Between Stabilizer and Nitrocellulose in Propellants
Author(s) -
Lindblom Torbjörn
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
propellants, explosives, pyrotechnics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.56
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1521-4087
pISSN - 0721-3115
DOI - 10.1002/1521-4087(200209)27:4<197::aid-prep197>3.0.co;2-w
Subject(s) - nitrocellulose , propellant , stabilizer (aeronautics) , diphenylamine , autocatalysis , chemistry , ignition system , polymer chemistry , materials science , chromatography , organic chemistry , membrane , thermodynamics , aerospace engineering , biochemistry , engineering , physics , catalysis
HPLC analysis of the stabilizer is one of the major methods in use for surveillance testing of diphenylamine (DPA) stabilized propellants. Often 0.2% DPA is used as a minimum content for safe propellants. In most cases the propellant can be stored much longer after this limit has been reached without any risk for self‐ignition. We report here about a reaction where DPA bonds to nitrocellulose, leaving a non extractable aromatic stabilizing compound left in the propellant, resulting in a longer time to autocatalysis than predicted. Diphenylnitramine is discussed as a possible intermediary compound occurring from the reaction between DPA and nitrocellulose. This should add to a better understanding of the degradation processes in propellants.