Method for producing a propellant

Abstract

The proposed propellant powder exhibits a temperature-independent burning behavior and high ballistic stability. The production process starts with a perforated bulk powder grain, which is processed inside a mixing apparatus with a solid material, a plug-stabilizing moderator or deterrent (if necessary also a radical initiator) and a low-viscous liquid. With a minimum amount of solid material, moderator or deterrent and liquid and because of the continuous mixing, the form function is influenced in such a way that the gas-formation rate is practically independent of the propellant powder temperature. As a result, the muzzle energy at the normal temperature and, above all, at a low deployment temperature can be increased markedly as compared to that of a standard propellant powder. With the propellant powder according to the invention, for which the grain has at least one perforation that discharges with an opening to the outside surface of the grain, wherein the opening is closed off with a plug, the plug has a temperature-dependent mobility. As a result, the plug has a higher mobility for a lower deployment temperature than for a higher deployment temperature, so that the plug permits a faster hole burning at a lower deployment temperature than at a higher deployment temperature.

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       23 . A method for producing a propellant, wherein a grain is produced with at least one hollow chamber that discharges with an opening to the outside surface of the grain, characterized in that a solid material in the form of a plug is inserted into the opening in such a way that the plug has a temperature-dependent mobility, meaning it has a higher mobility at a lower deployment temperature than at a higher deployment temperature, so that the plug permits a faster hole burning at a lower deployment temperature than at higher deployment temperature.  
   
   
       24 . A method according to  claim 23 , characterized in that the solid material is inserted, compacted and anchored inside the opening with the aid of a moderator, or a moderator that is not soluble in the grain, as well as a highly volatile liquid.  
   
   
       25 . A method according to  claim 24 , characterized in that the plug is produced by processing the solid material, the moderator and the liquid inside a mixing apparatus, at a temperature ranging from 0° to 90° C., over a treatment period of between 10 minutes and 3 hours and with a rotational speed of the mixing apparatus of between 2 and 30 rotations per minute.  
   
   
       26 . A method according to  claim 25 , characterized in that the solid material and/or the moderator are added to the mixing apparatus in an amount of 0.001 weight % to 4 weight %, relative to the weight of the untreated grain.  
   
   
       27 . A method according to  claim 25 , characterized in that the low-viscous liquid is used in the mixing apparatus in amounts of 0.1 weight % to 5 weight %, relative to the weight of the untreated grain.  
   
   
       28 . A method according to  claim 24 , characterized in that graphite, talcum, titanium oxide, carbon black, potassium sulfate, potassium cryolite, calcium carbonate, wolfram trioxide is used as solid material and that in particular polytetrahydrofuran, polyvinyl alcohol, poly(vinylalcohol-co-vinylacetate), poly(vinylalcohol-co-ethylene), polybutadienediol, polybutadienediol dimethacrylate, poly(α-methylstyrene), polybutadiene or polybutadienediol-diacrylate is used as moderator.  
   
   
       29 . A method according to  claim 24 , characterized in that water, ethanol, hexane, cyclohexane or a mixture of water/ethanol, water/methanol or water/acetone is used as liquid.  
   
   
       30 . A method according to  claim 24 , characterized in that the liquid is removed through evaporation from the opened, rotating mixing apparatus and that the propellant subsequently is stored for 3 days at 60° C.