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Distribution authorized for Public Release April 2012.
INSENSITIVE MUNITIONS & ENERGETIC MATERIALS TECHNOLOGY
SYMPOSIUM MAY 14-17, 2012
ARDEC Igniters
for Gun Systems
Eugene Rozumov, Carlton P. Adam, Thelma G. Manning, Joseph M. Laquidara, Kimberly
Chung, Dave Thompson, Jeff Wyckoff, Viral Panchal Armament Research Development Engineering Center
Distribution authorized for Public Release April 2012. .
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High Performance Igniter
Problems: Benite doesn’t perform as well as BKNO3 in
120MM tank rounds
Benite gives inconsistent performance results.
Future rounds need smaller igniter tubes.
Solution: ARDEC has developed igniter formulations
• Excellent and consistent performance
• Less sensitive than Benite
• Is more energetic than Benite.
• EXTRUDABLE
• Smaller Ignition Delays
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High Performance Igniter
BKNO3
Made of: 70% Potassium Nitrate
30% Boron
Easily ignited at low P.
High Gas Content
Burn Rate insensitive to P.
Hygroscopic (less than Black Powder)
Benite
Made of: 40% Nitrocellulose
6.3% Sulfur
44.3% Potassium Nitrate
9.3% Charcoal
0.5% Ethyl Centralite
Performance as an igniter is adequate for tank applications.
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Previous Work on Binder Igniter
Systems
One study examined the following using Closed Bomb:
OH
phenol formaldehyde resin
•Acid catalyzed polymerization of
phenol and formaldehyde
•Common Name: Bakelite
Barisin, , D.; Batinic-Haberle, I. Propellants, Explosives Pyrotechnics 1994, 19, 127.
OH or CH3
O
HO ro H
O
O
O
O
OH
OH
7
5shellac
•Natural Product
O
OROR
O
OR
R = NO2 or Et
NC and EC
Cl
Cl
PVC
F F
F
F
F
F
F
F
Fluorel
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Properties of Binders
Considered
O
N3
N3
O
N3
N3
O
N3
N3
O
O
N3
O
N3
O
N3
O
O
ONO2
O O
O2NO ONO2O
ONO2
ONO2
O2NOO
O
OR
O O
RO ORO
OR
ORROO
R =
O O
Nitrocellulose
ρ = 1.66 g/cc
ΔHf = -690 kJ/mol
Tv = 3331 K
O.B. = -31%
Cellulose Acetate/Butyrate
ρ = 1.22 g/cc
ΔHf = -1630 kJ/mol
Tv = 1052 K
O.B. = -160%
Glycidyl Azide Polymer (GAP)
ρ = 1.29 g/cc
ΔHf = 176 kJ/mol
Tv = 2288 K
O.B. = -121%
poly-Bis-AzidoMethyl-Oxetane
ρ = 1.30 g/cc
ΔHf = 373 kJ/mol
Tv = 2246 K
O.B. = -124%
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Calculated Flame Temperature
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Energy Density
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ERL Impact
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BAM Friction
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Static Igniter Test Fixture
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Factory Assembled Benite Igniter
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Representative Plasticized Igniter
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Factory Assembled Benite Primer
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-100.0
-50.0
0.0
50.0
100.0
150.0
200.0
250.0
300.0
350.0
400.0
0.000 2.000 4.000 6.000 8.000 10.000
Pre
ssu
re (M
Pa)
Time
Pressure 1 (MPa)
Pressure 2 (MPa)
Pdiff (MPa)
FNGUN Analysis
Instantaneous
Ignition along the
igniter tube.
No Pressure
Differentials. 0.0
200.0
400.0
600.0
800.0
1000.0
1200.0
1400.0
1600.0
1800.0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Pre
ssu
re (M
pa)
Time
Pressure base
Pressure tip
Pdiff
Staged Ignition from the
middle of the igniter
tube.
-50 MPa Pressure
Differentials.
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Representative BKNO3-NC Igniter
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Conclusions
ARDEC developed igniters:
Excellent and consistent performance
Less sensitive than Benite
Is more energetic than Benite.
EXTRUDABLE
Smaller Ignition Delay
More Hot Particles
More Flame