Analytical Methods for Stability Assessment of Nitrate Esters-Based Propellants

Nitrate esters-based propellant (NEBP) belongs to the main classes of energetic materials being used in civilian and military applications. These NEBPs are not highly stable, and during aging, some of their functional characteristics may change, what can lead to serious safety problems. A thorough analytical characterization of NEBP is of fundamental importance to provide an adequate support for their stability and safe life assessment. Moreover, in order to safely store and fully exploit these energetic materials, accurate analytical techniques and strategies are indispensable to efficiently judge their properties during aging. Although various methodologies have been developed worldwide to evaluate the aging behavior of NEBP, the characterization is not a simple task and often involves the combination of several techniques, whose results have to be evaluated together. This review sought to evaluate existing analytical techniques which can be utilized for a suitable analysis of NEBP stability and aging, evidencing their respective advantages and shortcomings. The employment of each examined technique is described and discussed by relevant examples from the literature.