Gun Interior Ballistic Performance with Ammonium Nitrate-Alcohol Propellants

A new type of propellant, a mixture of ammonium nitrate and alcohol, was examined in ballistic experiments. With prilled ammonium nitrate and ethanol, increased ballistic performance was obtained for the maximum energy release conditions. From the measured chamber pressures and measured in-tube velocity profile, the location of energy release and pressure wave motions are documented. This propellant is characterized by low-product molecular mass, high-specific energy, and high flexibility in controlling its performance both by changing the type of alcohol and by varying the reactants' molar ratio. (Author)