Sciencemadness Discussion Board

ETN based propellants

Ral123 - 16-5-2013 at 16:35

Some time ago, a test of mine proved that ETN has quite high critical diameter at melt cast density. In that aspect it's quite like NG. We all know NG is used in smokeless powder, so I was wondering if it's possible to make low sensitivity ETN granules for high power shooting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVgRHEpRHbE
Also, I don't know why wikipedia says RDX/HMX is added to rocket propellants to increase impulse, but not PETN/ETN?

Fantasma4500 - 17-5-2013 at 06:54

about ETN you already know its pretty powerful stuff, i think the reason its not used in propellants is because its very easy to get to fully detonate, yielding more than decent brinsance which isnt very well seen in propellants, perhaps you could mix it up with something else and then powder that?
im thinking substituting NG in gunpowder with ETN (wettening with acetone and mixing with NC then somehow powdering the finished product)
the finished product could potentially be used to again mix up with black powder to control the burn rate

Ral123 - 17-5-2013 at 07:38

In my experience, ETN is way more storage stable then NG. Mixing black powder with smokeless is forbidden for the hunters, as it's supposedly prone to detonation or something.