1946 (A 1999

A DISA/DTIC-Sponsored DoD Information Analysis Center

Vol. 25, No. S, September 1999

The Johns Hopkins University

Chemical Propulsion Information Agency

An Overview of Rocket Propulsion Researchat Purdue University

Purdue University has enjoyed a sig-nificant presence in the propulsion arenafor over five decades . Many unique fa-cilities exist as a result of the pioneeringefforts of Dr . Maurice Zucrow duringthe 1950s . The School of Aeronauticaland Astronautical Engineering (AAE) atPurdue University is working on ad-vanced propulsion concepts for the fu-ture . Efforts are focused on analytic/numerical simulations of propulsion pro-cesses and detailed experiments of com-bustion, decomposition and spray devel-opment processes . Target research areasare the study of non-toxic and renew-able propellant chemistry, direct energyconversion, catalytic power generation,field propulsion concepts, advancedturbomachinery, and future propulsionconcepts .

Some members ofthe Purdue Propul-sion Research Group; Professors Rusekand Heister are at thefar left and right,respectively.

Faculty within the School ofAAE thatspecialize in propulsion include Profes-sors Steve Heister and John Rusek .Heister joined Purdue in 1990 after aseven-year tenure at TheAerospace Cor-poration in El Segundo, California .Rusek joined the school in 1998 . He has

23 years of industrial and governmentexperience in organizations that includethe Air Force Rocket Propulsion Labo-ratory at Edwards AFB and most recentlyat the Naval Air Warfare Center at ChinaLake, California . These professors haveextensive experience in rocket propul-sion and energy conversion - areas mak-ing up the primary propulsion researchthrusts within the School of AAE. Atthe present time, substantial efforts areaimed at developing propulsion and en-ergy conversion systems utilizing the non-toxic oxidizer, hydrogen peroxide . Ef-forts within the propulsion group arecurrently sponsored by the United StatesAir Force, the United States Army, theUnited States Navy, the Ballistic MissileDefense Organization, Pratt & Whitneyand Gravitec . Projects are under devel-opment with TRW, Aerojet, Allied Sig-nal, Boeing, UOP, Allison AdvancedDevelopment, NASA, and the FederalEnergy Technology Center.

Research Facilities at Purdue

Numerous computational and experi-mental facilities are available to propul-sion researchers at Purdue . The Aero-space Post Processing and VisualizationLab is a major computational facilitywhich provides AAE students with high-end Silicon Graphics workstations withsubstantial graphics capabilities . Thesemachines are utilized to provide 2-D and3-D visualizations ofcomplex flow simu-lations conducted within the propulsionresearch group . In addition, ProfessorHeister's group has a cluster of worksta-tions that are networked using a LINUXenvironment for high performance par-allel computing . Using the LINUX clus-ter, students have access to up to 14nodes equipped with Pentium-class

microprocessors with speeds in excess of400 MHz.

Laboratory facilities are in place attwo major remote campus facilities : theMaurice Zucrow Laboratory (MZL), andthe Aerospace Sciences Laboratory(ASL) .

The Energy Conversion Laboratory(ECL), housed at ASL, is comprised ofa large four-function laboratory area .Hydrogen peroxide can be enriched to100%, and purified to fractional partsper million of inhibitors . The elec-trochemistry of hydrogen peroxide is

continued on page 4

Contents :49th JANNAF PropulsionMeeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3

Two Computer CodesAvailable Now... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Insensitive Explosives forFragmentation Warheads -Pub 688 Review... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

IMIPT UpdateGO TO

CPIA Home Page"Meeting Review" Section

CPIA Publications List . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

CPIA Ti/Bi List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Bulletin Board (Mtgs). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3JANNAF (Mtgs) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . back

CPIA's Technical/BibliographicInquiry ServiceCPIA offers a variety of services

to its subscribers, including re-sponses to technical/bibliographicinquiries . Answers are usually pro-vided within three working days, andtake the form of telephoned,telefaxed, electronic or written tech-nical summaries . Customers are pro-vided with copies of JANNAF pa-pers, excerpts from technical reports,bibliographies of pertinent literature,names of recognized experts, propel-lant/ingredient data sheets, computerprogram tapes and instructions, and/or theoretical performance calcula-tions. The CPIA staff responds tonearly 800 inquiries per year fromover 180 customer organizations .CPIA invites inquiries via telephone,fax, e-mail, or letter . For further in-formation, please contact Tom Mooreat (410) 992-7306, or e-mail :tmoore@jhu.edu . Representative re-cent inquiries include :

TechnicalInquiries

Properties and solubility of RDX andHMX (TI1999011303)

Binder/filler adhesion strength inplastic-bonded explosives(TI1999031703)

High explosive combustion products(TI1999032304)

Flash suppression of PETN or similarexplosives (TI1999043001)

" Global commercial launch rate bycountry (TI1999050702)

" Combustion instability in short-burnrocket motors (711999051201)

" AMRAAM igniter propellant infor-mation (711999051802)

Page 2

Recent CPIA PublicationsCPIA Pub 682, 35th JANNAF Combustion Subcommittee and JANNAFAirbreathing Subcommittee Joint Meeting, Vol. 4, December 1998

CPIA Pub 688, Insensitive Explosives for Fragmentation Warheads, July1999

The JANNAF Propulsion Meeting proceedings arenow available on CD-ROM, Volume VI .

For your purchase contact Dottie Becker, CPIAat (410) 992- 7302.

CPIA Home Pagehttp ://www.jhu .edu/-cpia/

Go There!

" Experimental method for materialscompatibility testing with liquid andsolid propellants using microcalori-metry (TI1999052706)

" Thermal decomposition data forzirconium and zirconium/potassiumperchlorate pyrotechnic compositions(TI1999060302)

" Lead-free ballistic modifiers fordouble-base propellant(TI1999060901)

" Heat of formation for isopropyl nitrate(TI1999061601)

" Data for JP-4 and JP-8 fuels(TI1999061602)

Bibliographic Inquiries

" Tripropellants and expander cycles(BI1999071502)

The Chemical Propulsion Information Agency(CPIA), a DoD Information Analysis Center, issponsored and administratively managed by theDefense Technical Information Center (DTIC) . CPIAis responsible for the acquisition, compilation,analysis, and dissemination of information and datarelevant to chemical, electric, and nuclear propul-sion technology . In addition, CPIA providestechnical and administrative support to the JointArmy-Navy-NASA-Air Force (JANNAF) Inter-agency Propulsion Committee . The purpose ofJANNAF is to solve propulsion problems, effectcoordination oftechnical programs, andpromote anexchange of technical information in the areas ofmissile, space, andgun propulsion technology . Afee commensurate with CPIA products and servicesis charged to subscribers, who must meetsecurityand need-to-know requirements .

The Bulletin (circulation : 4,306) is publishedbimonthly and is available free of charge to thepropulsion community . Reproduction ol'Bulletinarticles is permissible, with attribution . Neither theU .S . Government, CPIA, norany person acting ontheir behalf, assumes any liability resulting fromthe use or publication of the information containedin this document, or warrants that such use orpublication of the information contained in thisdocument will befreefromprivately owned rights .The content of the Bulletin is approved for publicrelease, and distribution is unlimited .

Paidcommercial Advertisements published in theBulletin do notrepresent any endorsementbyCPIA.

Mary L . Hartman

EditorSharon P . Counihan

Layout Artist(410) 992-7307

Fax (410) 730-4969E-mail : mlhart@jhunix .hcf .jhu .ed uWorld Wide Web :

http://www.jhu .edu/-cpia/

TheJohns Hopkins University/CPIA10630 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 202Columbia, Maryland 21044-3204

Operating underContract : SP0700-97-D-4004

CPIA Bulletin/Vol . 25, No . 5, September 1999

49th J PMThe 49"' JANNAF Propulsion Meet-

ing will be held Tuesday throughThursday, December 14-16, 1999 atthe Sheraton El Conquistador Resortin Tucson, Arizona. The meeting in-vitation and preliminary programwill be distributed via e-mail only toindividuals listed on the JPM mail-ing list .

Please contact Debra S. Eggleston,CPIA at (410) 992-7300, x202 or e-mail : dse@jhu .edu to verify your e-mail address and ensure that you areon the distribution list for receipt ofan invitation.

Registration forms for the 49th JPMare due at the CPIA by November 29,1999 .

Reservations at the Sheraton ElConquistador must be made by No-vember 13 . Please call (520) 544-1150. Reservations received after thisdate are not guaranteed at theJANNAF room rate .

JPM Program Agenda

Day One : Eleven sessions consist-ing of approximately 40 JPM papersand 30 "best papers" nominated fromthe nine JANNAF Subcommittees .Day Two: Morning - five "vision-ary, cross-cutting" workshops. After-noon - JANNAF subcommittee tech-nical activities, progress, and planspresentations .Day Three: Government and NASAin-house activity briefings .

Additional information concerningthe 49" JPM or other upcomingJANNAF meetings may be found on

SeeCPIA's Homepage"Calendarof Events" link

(URL=http://www.jhu.edu/-cpia/).

CPIA BulletinNol. 25, No. 5, September 1999

The Bulletin BoardThe following are various meetings and events . We welcome all such announcements,so that the propulsion community can be better served with timely information . See backpage for the 1999 JANNAF Calendar.

ACS = American Chemical Society, Edward T. Urbansky (513) 569-7655 or fax: (513) 569-7658AIAA = American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, (703) 264-7500 or (800) 639-2422Anteon Corp = (937) 254-7950, or http ://www.usasymposium.comBIT = Beijing Institute of Technology, (86) (10) 68912312, 68914313, or fax: (86) (10) 68915023CMA = Computational Mechanics Associates, (410) 532-3260 or fax: (410) 532-3261ICT = Fraunhofer-Institut fur Chemische Technologic, +49 - (0)721-4640 - 0LANL = Los Alamos National Lab, Alita Roach (505) 665-6277 or fax: (505) 665-3407NDIA = National Defense Industrial Association, (703) 247-2578 or fax: (703) 522-1885Penn State Univ = Prof . Kenneth K. Koo (814) 863-6270 or fax: (814) 863-3203Purdue University = Sharon Wise (765) 494-5120

Page 3

1999 Topic Sponsor Location

9/13-17 Introduction to Explosives CMA Baltimore, MD

9/26-29 1999 Life Cycles of Energetic Materials LANL Lake Buena Vista,

9/28-30 AIAA Space Technology Conference and Exposition AIAA Albuquerque, NM

International Autumn Seminar on Propellants, Explosives and10/5-8 BIT Chengdu, ChinaPyrotechnics

11/1-4AIAA 9th International Space Planes and Hypersonic Systems AIAA Norfolk, VAand Technologies Conference

11/7-10 2nd International Hydrogen Peroxide Propulsion Conference Purdue Univ, Purdue Univ, IN

11/15-19 18th International Symposium and Exhibition on Ballistics NDIA San Antonio, TX

11/29-12/2 Insensitive Munitions and Energetic Materials Symposium NDIA Tampa, FL

2000 Topic Sponsor Location

1/10-13 38th Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit AIAA Reno, NV

1/18-21 Strategic and Tactical Missile Systems Conference AIAA Monterey, CA

DoD, DoE,National Space and Missile Materials Symposium - Materials, NASA2/28-3/2 San Diego, CAProcesses, and Applications: Challenges of Space c/o Anteon

Corp

41st AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, Structural

4/TBD Dynamics, and Materials Conference - AIAA/ASME/AHS AIAA TBDAdaptive Structures Forum - AIAA Forum on Non-Deterministic Approaches

Fifth International Symposium on Special Topics in Chemical Penn State6/19-22Propulsion (5-ISICP): Combustion of Energetic Materials Univ

Stresa, Italy

7/TBD 36th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference AIAA Huntsville, ALand Exhibit

7/16-21 27th International Pyrotechnics Seminar LANLGrand Junction,

Co

2001 Topic Sponsor Location

42nd AIAA/ASME/ASCE/AHS/ASC Structures, StructuralDynamics, and Materials Conference - AIAA/ASMF/AHS

4/IBD AIAA TBDAdaptive Structures Forum - AIAA Forum on Non-Deterministic Approaches

7/6-1437th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference AIAA Salt Lake City, UTand Exhibit

Overview of Rocket Propulsion . . .continuedfrom page 1

studied both in its decomposition forpower production, and in its productionfrom seawater . Heterogeneous and homo-geneous catalysis is explored with respectto the decomposition of the higheststrength concentrations of hydrogen per-oxide . Advanced turbomachinery andfield propulsion studies are also accom-plished in the physical energy conversionsection of ECL. ASL also houses ourMachine Shop, with dedicated machin-ists and mechanical technicians using ad-vanced CNC and Rapid Prototyping tech-nologies, as well as the more conventionallathes, milling machines, and presses .

The Purdue University Propulsionand Power Laboratory (PURPPL) ishoused at MZL, and is comprised of twotest cells . The test cells are made of rein-forced concrete with containment steeldoors and explosive-rated viewing win-dows . These cells are classed for bothClass 1 .1 and 1 .3 explosives and areequipped with a frangible blowout wall,in the unlikely event of a major cata-strophic incident . Over the years, mili-tary and civilian solid rocket motors, liq-uid rocket engines, and turbomachineryhave been evaluated there . Test Cell Acurrently contains a rocket thrust standcapable of handling thrust loads of up to1000 lbf. Test Cell B is being outfittedto conduct turbine flow measurementsusing decomposed hydrogen peroxide, orcombusted non-toxic fuels in concert withhydrogen peroxide . In local proximity isa dedicated oxidizer storage building anda dedicated explosive / propellant storagebunker, rated for Class 1.1 materials . TheMZL has other substantial capabilities forpropulsion testing . The High PressureLab was once used for early developmenttesting of nitrogen tetroxide / hydrazinestorable bipropellants . In addition, a10,000 cubic foot vacuum tank is housedat this facility.

Research Areas at Purdue

Professor Heister's work has focusedprimarily on the modeling of atomiza-tion in liquid rocket engines (LREs) andin the combustion of hydrogen peroxidein hybrid rocket engines . Under the spon-sorship of the Air Force Office of Scien-

Page 4

tific Research, a wide variety of simula-tion tools have been developed to assessthe effects of chamber unsteadiness on theatomization process . Here, the goal is todevelop an understanding of the contri-bution of atomization to combustion in-stabilities in LREs . In addition, simula-tions of internal flows in rocket engineand diesel engine injectors have been con-ducted over the past seven years . Apseudo-density formulation has been de-veloped for two-phase flows in whichcavitation is an important feature . Highpressure injectors can exhibit cavitationinternally as is exhibited in the followingimage. Additional images and time-de-pendent simulations can be found on Pro-fessor Heister's website: (http ://roger.ecn.purdue.edu/-heister/ ) .

Comparison of computed cavitationregion (outer contours) with experimen-tal image of cavitation near the lip of abeveled slot.

Numerous hybrid rocket combustionexperiments have been conducted in Pro-fessor Heister's group over the past fiveyears. The configuration studied uses hy-drogen peroxide as the oxidizer and poly-ethylene as a fuel . Currently, hydrogenperoxide is under investigation in both themilitary and NASA as a nontoxic alter-native to current systems . The high den-sity, low vapor pressure and monopropel-lant characteristics of hydrogen peroxidemake it a unique alternative for manyapplications . A consumable igniter hasbeen developed to provide rapid, repro-ducible ignition of hydrogen peroxide-based hybrids . Several tests were con-ducted with transparent fuel grains toimage the igniter during decomposition -an example is shown below .

Image of consumable ignition devicein a Hydrogen Peroxide Hybrid usingPMMA as a transparentfuel grain . Flowis from right-to-left and the ignition de-vice is on the right.

continued on page 5

C

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Overview of Rocket Propulsion . . .continuedfrom page 4

Successive Video Framesfrom NHMFFuel Hypergolicity Test (1/30`" SecondFraming Interval)

Combustion 1/30 7" ofa Second Later

Professor Rusek's group utilizes boththe ECL and PURPPL for the explora-tion of nontoxic and advanced propul-sion devices . Professor Rusek discoveredan alchohol-based nontoxic homoge-neous miscible fuel (NHMF) for hyper-golic ignition with hydrogen peroxidewhile with the United States Navy. Cur-rent research is aimed at studying the ki-netics of ignition delay for this uniquebipropellant combination, maximizingthe energy density within this class offuels, and in developing robust injectordesigns for usage in LREs . Recenthypergolicity testing reveals ignition de-lays less than 10 msec using the baselineNHMF formulation . Advanced formu-lations are being studied which actuallyexceed the performance of the industrystandard NTO/MMH combination .

Professor Rusek also discovered a newclass of heterogeneous catalyst beds forthe decomposition of the highest strengthhydrogen peroxides, while with theUnited States Air Force . These new cata-lysts have overcome the cold-start "ig-nition" lag of traditional silver screencatalysts . Current research is targeted atunderstanding the function of the main

CP/A Bulletin/Vol. 25, No . 5, September 1999

catalytic agents and the function of cata-lytic promoters in concert with the mono-lithic substrates .

The electrochemical properties of thealuminum / hydrogen peroxide fuel cellsare also being investigated . Potassiumhydroxide is utilized to destabilize thehydrogen peroxide by increasing the lo-cal pH. The products of the reaction arenontoxic and the continuous cycle canproduce a fuel cell with a longer cell lifeand lower maintenance . Presently, 1 .3V and 130 mA (current density of 10mA/cm2) have been achieved from a 10%basified hydrogen peroxide solution . Thenext tests will try to increase current den-sity values by perturbing hydrogen per-oxide and base concentrations .

Lastly, field propulsion effects are be-ing explored within the ECL . The effectis manifested when a high voltage po-tential is put across a capacitor, which inturn creates a force. The reason that thisforce is of such importance is the factthat this seems to be no apparent reac-tion force associated with it . From thetechnical point of view, the so-calledSerrano Effect is a means to produce aforce based on capacitance, surface areaof the electrodes, the applied voltage, andthe non-linearity of the electric fieldgradient used in association with the

capacitor. It has been shown that thisforce is not due to electrostatic magne-tomotive forces . It is also believed thatthe Serrano Effect is not a manifestationof ionic wind or corona discharges . Fur-thermore, the effect would have excel-lent applications in satellite maneuver-ing, design of Trans-Atmospheric Ve-hicles (TAVs), design of rail guns, andcould even be used as a means for DeepSpace Travel . Satellites equipped witha device based on the Serrano Effectwould no longer need chemical propel-lant systems and therefore their lifetimewould be based on the effectiveness oftheir power source instead of the amountof propellant carried . Additional infor-mation is available on Professor Rusek'swebsite : (http://roger.ecn .purdue.edu/-rusek/) .

Those interested in gaining additionalbackground on the usage of hydrogenperoxide as a propellant and power sourceare encouraged to attend the 2nd Inter-national Hydrogen Peroxide PropulsionConference to be held at Purdue Univer-sity November 7-10, 1999. Additionalinformation concerning this event can belocated at the website : http://aae.www.ecn .purdue .edu/AAE/conferences/hydrogenperoxide .htm l or by contactingSharon Wise at (765) 494-5120.

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Page 5

The CPIA is now offering thePARCS 2.0 and CHAMP 99 computercodes . The Plume Attenuated RadarCross Section Code (PARCS 2.0) is aFORTRAN code used to calculate thecoherent and incoherent radar crosssection of a rocket exhaust plume.PARCS is designed to use with aplume property code such as the Stan-dardized Plume Flowfield model .With an appropriate interface, PARCSis used to calculate the radar measur-able features once the plume flowfieldcomputation has been made . The

Page 6

Two Computer Codes Available Now!user's manual and code are availableon one CD-ROM at a cost of $360.00.Non-subscribers to CPIA products willbe charged a $30.00 administrativefee.

The Composite High-Altitude Ma-neuvering Post Booster Vehicle,(CHAMP 99), computer code is asimulation used to provide time de-pendent high-fidelity infrared (IR)simulations of airborne vehicles.Many upgrades have been added tothe baseline code since the 1993 ver-sion . The primary upgrades allow the

code to be used for theater missile andtactical aircraft applications . Manyparts of the original code have beenrewritten in C++ to increase perfor-mance, functionality, usability, andmaintainability. The user's manualand code are available on one CD-ROM at a cost of $360.00. Non-sub-scribers to CPIA products will becharged a $30.00 administrative fee.To place your order, or to obtain ad-ditional information on PARCS andCHAMP 99, please call Dottie Becker,CPIA, at (410) 992-7302, x204.

Please see the article on the DoD Insensitive Munitions (IM) Integrated Product Team (IPT) Update .Go to http ://www.jhu .edu/-cpia/ - Meeting Review Section.

This article provides a progress report on the DoD IM IPT updating earlier articles published in July1998 (Vol . 24, No . 4, page 10) and September 1998 (Vol . 24, No . 5, page 8) .

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CPIA Bulletin/Vol . 25, No . 5, September 1999

Insensitive Explosives for Fragmentation WarheadsThe CPIA Publication 688 "Insensitive Explosives for Frag-

mentation Warheads" has recently been published as a state-of-the-art review comparable to CPIA's Chemical Propulsion Tech-nology Review (CPTR) series . As a DoD Information Analysis Cen-ter covering the area of propulsion, propellants, and related muni-tions and energetic materials technology, CPIA maintains an ex-tensive database of U.S . and foreign technical reports coveringinsensitive high explosives technology base work . This topic hasbeen selected in order to broaden the applicability of CPIA's workto analyze and summarize the state-of-the-art in munitions andenergetic materials technology.

Debris Recovered From Small Scale Bullet Impact Test WithInsensitive Plastic Bonded Explosive

Much explosives research and development work has been per-formed over the last twenty years with the goal of qualifying insen-sitive high explosives as replacements for TNTbased formulationssuch as Composition B in various munitions applications . An ex-cellent technology base exists from which candidate replacementexplosive fills may be identified for further development and opti-mization for a given munitions application . CPIA Publication 688

provides a state-of-the-art review covering the properties, maturity,advantages, and disadvantages of alternate explosives technolo-gies applicable to fragmentation warheads . Results are comparedto a Composition B explosive baseline where possible . This reportis meant to serve as a general starting point for evaluation of viablecandidate explosives for a given munition . The results provide afoundation for further system specific assessment and testing .

Due to the vast amount ofpotentially relevant information avail-able in the explosives research and development literature, a four-pronged approach was employed to maximize the efficiency of theliterature search . First, the U.S . Navy Insensitive Munitions Ad-vanced Development (IMAD) Program was reviewed to identifypreviously developed and (Navy) qualified metal accelerating plas-tic bonded explosive (PBX) candidates . The IMAD program, whichhas been in existence for many years, provided a well-structuredsource of information as well as easy identification of several vi-able candidates . Second, a focused search for alternative melt cast

CPIA BulletinNol. 25, No . 5, September 1999

explosive candidates was performed. This identified a few viablecandidates, although limited work has apparently been performedin this area. Third, specialized searches were performed on thermo-plastic elastomer based explosives and new continuous processingtechnology. Finally, a broad-based search of PBX research andtechnology was performed . Focuses ofthis effort included U.S . AirForce explosives work and international PBX work (as well as otherPBX work performed by the U.S . Army, U.S . Navy, and U.S . DoDcontractors over the past ten years) .

Explosives examined in the study can generally be character-ized into four classes : RDX-based PBX, low energy HMX-basedPBX (containing some percentage of less sensitive explosives),high energy HMX-based PBX, and alternative melt-cast formula-tions . The review was generally limited to mature explosives tech-nologies . In many cases (but not exclusively), the candidates havebeen completely qualified for service use . Advanced explosivesdevelopment work employing new materials such as CL-20 andTNAZ was excluded from consideration due to a lack of maturityfor nearterm system insertion . Also, work on pressed PBX materi-als was excluded .

Information on each candidate is reported for the major topicsof performance, sensitivity and insensitive munitions properties,producibility and cost issues, and possible formulation modifica-tions/variations. The most important performance parameters werepre-determined to be associated with metal acceleration capabilityas characterized by Gurney Constant, cylinder test results, detona-tion pressure, and brisance . Critical diameter data was also deter-mined to be important to indicate the feasibility of use . The mostimportant sensitivity parameters were pre-selected to be shock anddrop weight impact sensitivity. All relevant insensitive munitions(IM) test information is also reported, including results for bullet/fragment impact, fast and slow cookoff, and sympathetic detona-tion . Finally, producibility issues such as mixing and loadingproperties as well as industrial base maturity are summarized . Forthe majority of plastic bonded explosives that require high shearmixing followed by casting and cure, little discussion of process-ing is provided . This process technology is used on a large produc-tion level in the solid propellant and explosives industry, however,and is thus very mature. In addition, most PBX materials should beamenable to continuous twin screw processing, a production tech-nology that is becoming more widespread for energetic materialsapplications . Producibility is discussed in slightly more detail forcandidate plastic bonded explosives that have been demonstratedin unique processing configurations, such as low shear mixing inthe type of equipment historically used in the manufacture of TNTbased explosives, continuous twin screw compounding/ extrusion,or injection loading . Ingredient availability and cost consider-ations are also addressed for some materials .

The information presented in the report is meant to provide ageneralized starting point for assessment of viable insensitive mu-nitions candidate explosives for metal accelerating applications . Itis clear that many candidate insensitive explosives having compa-rable performance and sensitivity properties, as well as signifi-cantly improved insensitive munitions characteristics relative toComp B, have been developed and demonstrated . For more infor-mation, contact Jim Cocchiaro at (410) 992-9950, x208 .

Page 7

Johns Hopkins University/Chemical Propulsion Information Agency10630 Little Patuxent Parkway, Ste. 202, Columbia, MD 21044-3204Phone (410) 992-7300

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED Official Business

JANNAF MEETING CALENDAR

Attendance at JANNAF Conferences and Workshops is by invitation only.

MEETING CALENDAR SUBJECT TO CHANGE . FOR LATEST DETAILS, CONTACT CPIA AT (410) 992-7304 .

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PAIDCOLUMBIA,MARYLAND

PERMIT No . 425NONPROFITORGANIZATION

Abstract Paper1999 Meeting Type Location Deadline Deadline

Oct 18-22 JANNAF Combustion Subcommittee, Conference/ Cocoa Beach, FL Past Sep 27, 1999Airbreathing Propulsion WorkshopSubcommittee and PropulsionSystems Hazards Subcommittee JointMeeting

Nov 15-19 JANNAF Nondestructive Evaluation Conference/ Salt Lake City, UT Past Oct 29, 1999Subcommittee, Rocket Nozzle WorkshopTechnology Subcommittee andStructures & Mechanical BehaviorSubcommittee Joint Meeting

Dec 14-16 49th JANNAF Propulsion Meeting Conference Tucson, AZ Past Nov 8, 1999

Abstract Paper2000 Meeting Type Location

Deadline Deadline

May 8-12 JANNAF Propellant Development Conference/ Cocoa Beach, FL Dec 6, 1999 Apr 17, 2000Characterization Subcommittee and WorkshopSafety and Environmental ProtectionSubcommittee Joint Meeting

May 15-19 JANNAF Exhaust Plume Technology Conference Nellis AFB, NV Dec 6, 1999 Apr 17, 2000Subcommittee