Liquid propellant

US5047098A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Rheinmetall GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Wolfram Witt · Goldkronach, DE
• Karlheinz Reinelt · Hermannsburg, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 28, 1986
• Grant date: Sep 10, 1991
• Expiry date: Oct 28, 2006

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C06B47/00
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A liquid propellant for use in a propellant medium combustion chamber of a gun barrel weapon. The liquid propellant is completely decomposed and its combustion velocity is adjusted to the requirements of the weapon and projectile so as to provide a preponderantly oscillation-free plateau-like gas pressure development curve. The liquid propellant consist of a monergolic or nonhypergolic liquid propellant substance which includes up to 40% by weight of additives, preferably in the form of inhibitors. As starting material there are used aliphatic compositions, preferably nitrated alcanes or nitrates of alcanes, for example, isopropylinitrate or nitromethane. As inhibitors for moderating the burning there are used alcohols, such as methylalcohol or isopropylalcohol, which are admixed to the starting material. The inhibitors and/or liquid propellant include additional additives which act as radical binders which preponderantly prevent gas pressure oscillations and effect a plateau-like gas pressure development curve.