Damage of a high-energy solid propellant and its deflagration-to-detonation transition

In order to assess the safety of high-energy solid propellents, the effects of damage on deflagration-to-detonation transition (DDT) in a nitrate ester plasticized polyether (NEPE) propellant, is investigated. A comparison of DDT in the original and impacted propellants was studied in steel tubes with synchronous optoelectronic triodes and strain gauges. The experimental results indicate that the microstructural damage in the propellant enhances its transition rate from deflagration to detonation and causes its increased sensitivity. It is suggested that the mechanical properties of the propellant should be improved to reduce its damage so that the probability of DDT might be reduced.