Hostname: page-component-848d4c4894-4rdrl Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-06-17T05:43:47.210Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Rapid Non-Destructive X-Ray Characterization of Solid Fuels/Propellants

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 March 2019

T. S. Ananthanarayanan ,
W. E. Mayo ,
R. G. Rosemeier  and
R. S. Miller
T. S. Ananthanarayanan
Affiliation:
Brimrose Corp. of America, 7720 Belair Road, Baltimore, MD
W. E. Mayo
Affiliation:
Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ
R. G. Rosemeier
Affiliation:
Brimrose Corp. of America, 7720 Belair Road, Baltimore, MD
R. S. Miller
Affiliation:
ONR, Arlington, VA
Get access

Abstract

Numerous studies have been conducted into the microstructural origin of the instability and unpredictability of various energetic materials. Some of these materials are RDX/HMX, Ammonium Perchlorate, Aluminum, etc. Many techniques both destructive and non-destructive have so far been utilized in an attempt to quatify the energetic properties of their composites. These composites may contain one or more energetic constituents in an elastomeric binder. Non-destructive X-ray characterization techniques have been successfully employed to measure several microstructural parameters. Previous studies have shown considerable differences among various production grade RDX. These studies reveal marked differences in the amounts of residual elastic strain and the distribution of dislocations (residual plastic strain) in the constituent RDX phase.

The focus of this study is to develop a technique for quantitative constituent phase analysis of solid-propellant (fuel) composites using conventional diffractometry. The use of a Curved Position Sensitive Detector (CPSD) greatly enhances the technique and allows real time applications in production environments. Through the use of computer based Systems and "user friendly" software the required Operator, skill and training have been considerably reduced. The CPSD System has been successfully used to quantify constituent phases (peak heights) and the amounts of residual elastic strain (peak shifts) in these molecular crystal powder mixtures.

It is envisioned that rapid, automated, non-destructive X-ray characterization techniques will greatly facilitate production based propellant quality control. A thorough understanding of the relationship between the energetics and microstructural parameters can also he obtained.

Type
VI. Quantitative Phase Analysis by XRD
Information
Advances in X-Ray Analysis , Volume 30: Thirty-Fifth Annual Conference on Applications of X-ray Analysis, August 4-8, 1986 , 1986 , pp. 357 - 365
Copyright
Copyright © International Centre for Diffraction Data 1986

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

1. Elban, W. L., Coffey, C. S., Yoo, K.C. and Rosemeier, R.G., “Microstructural Origins of Hot Spots in RDX. Explosive and a Reference Inert Material”, NSWC. P. 4-200, 1984.Google Scholar
2. Winter, R.E., and Field, J.E., “The Role of Locallzed Plastic Flow In tiie Impact Initiation of Explosives”, Proceedings of the Royal Society of Londojo Ser. A. Vol. 343, No. 1634, 1975, pp. 399-413.Google Scholar
3. Armstrong, R.W., Coffey, C.S., and Elban, W.L., “Adlabatic Heatlag at a Dislocation Pile-Up Avalanche”, Acta Metallurgica. Vol. 30, No. 12, 1982, pp. 2111–2116.Google Scholar
4. Fulier, K.N.G., Fox, P.G., and Field, J.E., “The Temperature Rise at the Tip of Fast Moving Cracks in Glassy Polymers”, Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Ser. A. Vol. 361, No. 1705, 1978, pp. 245–263.Google Scholar
5. Weichert, R., and Schonert, K., “Heat Generation at the Tip of a Moving Crack”, Journal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids, Vol. 26, No. 3, 1978, pp. 151–161.Google Scholar
6. Coffey, C.S., Elban, W.L., and Jacobs, S.J., “Detection of Local Heatlng and Reaction Induced by Impact”, in Proceedings of the Sixteenth JANMAF Combustion Meeting, Vol. I. 1014 Sep 1979, CPIA. ubl. 308, pp. 205–219.Google Scholar
7. Westbrook, J.H., and Conrad, H., Eds., The Science of Hardness Testlng and Its Research Applications (Metals Park, 0H: American Society for Metals, 1973.0Google Scholar
8. Armstrong, R.W., and Raghuram, A.C. “Anisotropy of Microhardneas In Crystals”, in The Science of Hardness Testing and Its Research Applications, Eds.: Westbrook, J.H., and Conrad, H. (Metals Park, OH: American Society for Metals, 1973) pp. 174–186.Google Scholar
9. Elban, W.L., and Armstrong, R.W., “Microhardness Study of RDX. o Assess localized Deformation and Its Role in Hot Spot Formation”, in Proceedings Seventh Symposium (International) on Detonation, 16-19 Jun 1981, NSWC. P. 2-334, pp. 976-985.Google Scholar
10. Elban, W. L., Armstrong, R.W., and Hoffsommer, J.C. “X-Ray Orientation and Hardness Experiments on RDX. xplosive Crystals”, to be published in Journal of Materials Science.Google Scholar
11. Connick, W., and May, F.G.J., “Dislocation Etching of Cyelotrinethylene Trirtitramine Crystals,” Journal of Crystal Growth, Vol. 5, No. 1, 1969, pp. 65–69.Google Scholar
12. Rosemeier, R.G., Ananthanarayanan, T.S., Mayo, W. E., Yoo, K.C., and Herley, P.J., “Automated Microstructural Characterization of RDX/HMX. roduction Grade Materials Phase I. inal Report”, submitted to the Office of Naval Research, Match 14, 1985.Google Scholar