Analyses of New Nontoxic Stabilizers and Other Components in Smokeless Powders

Propellants consisting of nitrocellulose and/or other nitric esters are inherently chemically unstable and undergo decomposition even under standard storage conditions. Decomposition of such compounds can be inhibited or nearly stopped when stabilizers are used. However, conventional stabilizers form nitrosamines that have toxic and carcinogenic effects. A nitrocellulose based propellants contained new nontoxic stabilizers were prepared on this account. The new stabilizers are epoxidized oils (soybean oil, linseed oil and mixture fatty acids, C14-22). The chemical structure of the new stabilizers and their decomposition products should prevent the formation of toxic N-nitrosamines. We prepared double base propellants and these powders were investigated using Microcalorimetry, Conventional Stability Tests and Sensitivity Tests. The results were compared with propellants containing the conventional stabilizer akardite II. Qualitative and quantitative analyses were also performed. These analyses are very important next to the Conventional Stability Tests and Sensitivity Tests. Therefore, this paper presents qualitative and quantitative analyses results of the new substances as stabilizers for propellants. We studied options of oils stabilizers determination and mechanism of stabilization of propellants by oils. Paper describes quantitative analyses results of other substances in propellants (nitroglycerin and solvents) too and options of samples modifcation before analyses.