Study on Improving Low-Temperature Mechanical Properties of Nitroguanidine Propellant by Triethanolamine

Nitroguanidine (NQ) is one of the most popular ingredients in propellant formula, and always contributes a high weight content due to its outstanding capability in flame temperature controlling. But the mechanical properties of these NQ propellants are usually not good, especially at low temperatures. In order to improve the low-temperature mechanical properties of the NQ propellant, triethanolamine (TEA) is used to coat NQ before propellant manufacturing. Infrared spectra show that TEA forms hydrogen bond with NQ, and the mechanical properties of the corresponding propellant at low temperatures are improved. Compared with the original NQ propellant, the anti-impact strength, the compressive resistance and the extension strength of the modified propellant are raised by 44.6 %, 20.6 % and 7.1 % at -40 degrees C, respectively. The low-temperature maximum burning rate and maximum pressure of TEA-coated NQ propellant obtained from closed bomb test are 29.6 % and 4.06 % lower than those of the original propellant, which can be attributed to the changes in the combustion process caused by TEA. No accidental combustion occurred during the entire combustion process, indicating that TEA can be considered to improve the low-temperature mechanical properties of NQ propellant.

Automated summary

Nitroguanidine (NQ) is a popular ingredient in propellant formulas, known for its ability to control flame temperature. However, its mechanical properties at low temperatures are often poor. Coating NQ with triethanolamine (TEA) has been shown to improve the low-temperature mechanical properties of the propellant, enhancing impact strength, compressive resistance, and extension strength.