Ignition and Combustion Behaviors of LOVA Gun Propellant

Two kinds of LOVA gun propellants with different binders were prepared. They are L15A (RDX76%, NC4%, DOP8%) and L13A (RDX76%, NC4%, CAB12%, ATEC8%) respectively. The ignition and combustion behaviors were investigated with a closed bomb and a simulator of ignition and combustion. The results indicate that the LOVA gun propellants are difficult to be ignited, however, its ignition behavior can be improved by adding AP into the igniter. The LOVA gun propellants have the characteristic of lower coefficient and higher exponent to its exponential formula of burning rate versus pressure. The rule of gas generation and burning behavior in the initial stage of the two LOVA samples were studied by the closed bomb tests at the same ignition condition. It is found that there is a rapid increasing of gas generation rate for the LOVA propellant with energetic binder. It shows that the LOVA propellant with energetic binder has a better ignition ability compared to the LOVA propellant with inert binder.