The gelatinization of nitrocellulose by primary stabilizers

Abstract

The examination results of the gelatinization of nitrocellulose gunpowders, stabilized by different stabilizers are described in this study. The microstructure of gunpowder samples of different chemical compositions is analyzed by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Apart from the three-dimensional picture of morphology and the effect of the molecular dispersion of stabilizers into the nitrocellulose matrix, the in­formation on chemical composition of the surface of gunpowder grain was obtained by the use of energy-dispersive X-rays spectrometry on SEM (SEM/EDX). The aim of the research was the comparative analysis of three different gunpowder samples, and the estimation of the effect on the gelatinization of nitrocellulose by different stabilizers was performed including their separate influences on the chemical stability of gunpowder. The comparative analysis is based on the degree of homogenous dispersion of each stabilizer in the matrix, which has the significant positive influence on the stability of gunpowder.

U radu su prikazani rezultati ispitivanja želatinizacije nitroceluloznih baruta, stabilisanih različitim tipovima stabilizatora. Pomoću skenirajuće elektronske mikroskopije (Scanning Electron Microscopy, SEM) ispitivana je mikrostruktura uzoraka baruta različitog hemijskog sastava. Pored trodimenzionalne slike topografije i učinka molekularne disperzije stabilizatora u matricu nitroceluloze, pomoću metode energetske diperzije X-zraka (Energy-Dispersive X-Rays Spectroscopy - EDX) dobijena je informacija o kvantitativnom i kvalitativnom hemijskom sastavu ispitivanog dela površine barutnog zrna. Na osnovu komparativne analize, izvršena je ocena efekta želatinizacije nitroceluloze različitim tipovima stabilizatora i njihov pojedinačni uticaj na hemijsku stabilnost baruta.