BURNING RATE OF SMALL CALIBER PROPELLANT AS A FUNCTION OF TEMPERATURE AND PARTICLE SIZE DISTRIBUTION

Abstract

Small caliber propellant performance is influenced by many factors. In this study, researchers investigated the influence of particle size and temperature on the performance of small caliber, ball powder propellant. Particle size is important as it provides the initial surface area available for a propellant to begin the deflagration process. The geometry of the grain will dictate the manner in which the deflagration progresses: progressively, regressively, or neutral. The initial temperature of the propellant also has a direct influence on propellant performance. Evaluations were conducted in a constant volume, closed vessel to obtain pressure-time data for the various experiments. The data were used to calculate the burning rate coefficient ( ) and pressure exponent ( ) of the propellant samples. Dynamic vivacity, relative force, and relative quickness values are also reported.