REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

www.mod.gov.rs

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Material Resources Sector

Defensive Technologies Department

Military Technical Institute

www.vti.mod.gov.rs

ENHANCEMENT OF STABILIZING PROPERTIES OF NITROCELLULOSE USING INORGANIC COMPOUNDS

MOHAMMED AMIN DALI

University of Defence, Military Academy, Belgrade, Serbia, DaliMA380@gmail.com

Slobodan JARAMAZ

University of Belgrade, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Belgrade, Serbia, sjaramaz@mas.bg.ac.rs

Abstract: The frequent use of nitrocellulose and its practical importance have launched many research on the degradation mechanisms in different conditions. The main causes of the degradation of nitrocellulose are attributed to the instability of nitrate group –ONO₂. The chemical degradation process includes the decomposition of nitric esters, chemical reactions stabilizers, reactions with oxygen and humidity thus decreasing the molecular weight. To decelerate this phenomenon, we generally use stabilizers which are all of organic origin. Because of the consumption of the latter during the ageing of energetic products which are based on nitrocellulose, and their toxicity, a large number of studies are directed to a new variety of stabilizers, which have inorganic origin like the zeolites and the activated carbon. The purpose of this study is to improve the stabilizing properties and performances of zeolites added to nitrocellulose during its ageing, compared to organic stabilizers using the adiabatic calorimeter, viscosimetric method and Devarda method.

Keywords: Nitrocellulose; Inorganic stabilizers; Chemical degradation; Aging; Zeolites.