On the Ignition and Deflagration of Nitrocellulose Based Solid Propellant

An overall picture of the ignition and deflagration mechanisms of nitrocellulose based propellants is presented. It is shown that the propellant behaves as an inert solid during the pre-ignition heating stage. The solid phase reaction becomes important during the steady state deflagration at low pressures, especially in single-base propellants because of its slow gas phase reactions. Both during the ignition and deflagration process the heat transported from the gas phase reaction zones to the solid surface sustains the decomposition of the solid phase. The mode of heat transfer between the gas phase zones and the solid phase reactions are discussed, including the contribution of the thermo-mechanical effects. A number of speculative deductions are made which may be investigated in the future. (Author) Presented at Collogue sur la Combustion des Properges Solides, Poitiers, France, 26-27 Oct 72.