Development of modern methods for determination of stabilizers in propellants

Quebec: Defence research establishment centre, 1996. – 128 p.This document is the final report required by a task from the Directorate of Ammunition Engineering Service (DAES) aimed at developing modem methods of monitoring the chemical stability and remaining safelife of gunpowders stocked by the Canadian Forces. This report begins with a review of the chemistry of propellant ageing and the various techniques available to monitor chemical stability. This is followed by a description of the development of two fast, reliable and efficient high- performance liquid chromatography methods. Finally, the application of these two methods for the surveillance programme of diphenylamine or ethycentralite-stabilized gun propellants are discussed.