TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Air Platform, Materials/Processes, Weapons

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: PMA-201 Precision Strike Weapons

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted." The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Develop an integrated sensor that records stabilizer depletion and environmental conditions of double-base propellants.

DESCRIPTION: Current Navy Cartridge Actuated Devices (CAD) and Propellant Actuated Devices (PAD) use double-base propellants as either a main energetic output charge or an intermediate gas generating energetic charge. It has long been known that the nitrate esters in double-base propellants decompose with age, resulting in depletion of the stabilizer. Exposure to elevated temperatures exacerbates the stabilizer depletion, producing degradation in both the service life and ballistic performance, leading to a potential cook-off safety hazard.

A need exists to monitor stabilizer depletion rates and associated environmental conditions of double-base propellants contained within PADs at operating temperatures from -65 degrees Fahrenheit to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. As double-base propellants age, the stabilizer reacts with the nitrogen oxides (NOx) released by the decomposition of the nitrate esters (nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin) present in the propellant. During exposure to elevated temperatures, this reaction increases until the stabilizer is completely depleted. Although the decrease of the primary chemical stabilizer is accompanied by the additional formation of daughter stabilizer reaction products which also possess a residual stabilization capability, the depletion of the primary chemical stabilizer can lead eventually to autocatalytic decomposition of the propellant, self-heating, and cook-off. The need exists to monitor stabilizer depletion levels so items with unsafe levels of remaining effective stabilizer can be removed from service. The most commonly used double-base stabilizers are Diphenylamine (DPA), 2-Nitrodiphenylamine (2-NDPA), and Ethyl Centralite (EC). Currently, no products exist that are capable of detecting the daughter products of these specific stabilizers. This system should be produced or packaged in a manner amenable for integration into PADs and be able to function between the temperature extremes of -65 degrees Fahrenheit and 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The data recorded by the system should be easily retrievable with minimal impact to the PAD and must be capable of being downloaded and analyzed on a computer. For integration into a common PAD, the system must be flexible and capable of sitting on a round propellant grain or a round motor tube. The system width must fall within an arc length of 1.15 inches with an arc angle of 120 degrees. The length will be less than 7 inches, and the thickness must be less than 0.08 inches.

PHASE I: Determine and prove technical feasibility of innovative and novel approaches to measuring, recording, and reporting stabilizer depletion levels of double-base propellants and the environmental conditions they are subjected to. Determine the feasibility of producing such a system within the size constraints of a common PAD.

PHASE II: Based upon Phase I results, develop one or more prototypes capable of measuring, recording, and reporting stabilizer depletion levels and environmental conditions. Demonstrate the developed technology within the temperature range. Characterize the accuracy of the stabilizer and environmental measurements.

PHASE III: Transition and integrate the developed technology into a PAD or other appropriate system.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Potential market for this technology exists in prognostics, health monitoring, and conditional maintenance of items subject to environmental exposure and degradation of volatile substances. Commercial items that may benefit from this type of health monitoring system include automotive airbag safety systems, automotive engine oil, gun ammunition, aircraft jet engines, and solid propellant gas generator systems such as airline inflatable slides and cartridge driven power tools.

REFERENCES:
1. Bohn, M. & Eisenreich, N. (1997). Kinetic Modeling of the Stabilizer Consumption and of the Consecutive Products of the Stabilizer in Gun Propellants. Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics 125-136,

2. Wiley InterScience < http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/109668165/abstract>

3. Doerr, K.H. , Gates, W.R. & Mutty, J.E. (2005). A Hybrid Approach to the Valuation of RFID/MEMS Technology Applied to Ordnance Inventory. Naval Postgraduate School NPS-GSBPP-05-013.

4. Stine, G. (1991). An Investigation into Propellant Stability. Analytical Chemistry 63 (8), pp 475A�478A. ACS Publications; DOI: 10.1021/ac00008a002

KEYWORDS: Double-base propellant; health monitoring; stabilizer depletion; diphenylamine; 2-nitrodiphenylamine; ethyl centralite

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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