Experimental Analysis of Rheological Behaviour of a Multi-base Energetic Material During Conventional Extrusion

The final quality to be achieved during conventional extrusion of energetic materials depends on diverse factors such as the material formulation, extrusion parameters, characteristics of raw materials and previous stages like mixing process. Process optimization is really complex due to the existence of a great number of factors, and the nature of the distinct phenomena involved. In the present work, the extrusion of a multi-base energetic material is studied, with the purpose of discovering the relation between the main factors of this process and the optimum conditions for this forming stage. The effect of rheological properties of initial compounds, extrusion velocity, extrusion pressure and chemical formulation are evaluated, considering two alternative formulations for a triple-base propellant. The analysis of rheological properties served to deduce the recommended parameters for conventional extrusion of these triple-base propellant, as well as essential information about the process variability and expected quality of final products.