Scientific report ORLN/TM-
12405. Chemical Technology Division Analytical Chemistry Division, Oak Ridge, Tennessee. 1993. – 79 p.The main objective of this work is to develop and test color change indicator strips for accumulation of nitroesters in the case wall which will assist the U.S. Army in evaluating the quality and safety of combustible cartridge-cased ammunition held in stockpile or deployed in the field. The scope of this work is limited to bringing the prototype indicator to the stage where it is ready for collaboration with industry.
Combustible nitrocellulose ordnance casings offer advantages of: light weight, low cost, low detectibility, and quick cycling of rounds by immediate disposal. However, mechanical strength is degraded with time by the action of humidity and nitroester diffusion through the casing to adhesives. The primary development effort of this study is a means to detect nitroester migration to the crucial skive joint which binds an assortment of warhead choices to propellant casings. This work has developed a prototype colorimetric indicator strip which, when applied in a field environment, produces a purple tint proportional to casing nitroester concentration, and inversely proportional to remaining adhesive joint strength.Contents:
Executive summary.
List of figures.
Acronyms and definitions.
Acknowledgements.
Introduction.
Strip material choice and preparation.
Strip application.
Strip monitor.
Conclusions and recommendations.
Conclusions.
Recommendations.
References.
Appendix.
Distribution list.
