Microstructure of NC-propellants investigated by x-ray diffraction (Part II)

Various gun propellant samples were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction. The measurements revealed characteristic diffraction patterns and details on the microstructure, such as degree of crystallinity, mean crystalline domain size, and nitroglycerine content. Thus, valuable insight into the microstructure of gun propellants has been achieved, and will be discussed in relation to macroscopic properties, e.g. processability, stability and brittleness. The results shall improve the development and quality assessment of nitrocellulose based gun propellants.