Processibility and combustion properties of LOVA propellant with the size of RDX particle

We prepared three kinds of LOVA (low vulnerability ammunition) propellants that have different size of RDX particles and investigated the processibility and combustion behavior in CBT. In the mixing process, P-1 propellant of 97.4 mum RDX had poor adhesion between RDX and binder. P-2 propellant of 9.2 mum RDX had slight adhesion, whereas P-3 propellant of 3.8 mum RDX had good adhesion between RDX and binder. In the extrusion process, the surface of P-1 propellant was rough even under low extrusion speed. The surface of P-2 propellant was smooth under low extrusion speed and rough under high extrusion speed. The surface of P-3 propellant was smooth even under high extrusion speed. Below 30 MPa, the burning rate of propellant was not influenced on the size of RDX particle, whereas, above 100 MPa, the burning rate increased with the increase of RDX size.