Work

Impact of particle size gradation on the performance of nitroguanidine gun propellants

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: • High-performance propellants were prepared by using NQ with different particle size gradations. • The mechanical properties of NQ was studied by different methods. • An impressive enhancement mechanism was proposed. The particle size and morphology of nitroguanidine (NQ) are two primary factors that influence the thermal, mechanical, and combustion properties of NQ gun propellant. To improve the insufficient mechanical properties of NQ gun propellant, this study investigated the influence of NQ particle size distributions on the performance of NQ propellant using two NQ samples with average sizes of 38.44 μm and 10.00 μm. A series of morphological and structural characterizations on NQ gun propellent were conducted using various techniques. The results indicate that different particle size distributions of NQ have little effect on the structural stability of NQ gun propellant, which exhibits favorable thermal stability. Additionally, incorporating NQ particles with a size of 10.00 μm can effectively improve the mechanical properties of NQ gun propellant. When the mass ratio of NQ with particle sizes of 38.44 μm and 10.00 μm is maintained at 1:1, the tensile and compressive strengths of NQ propellant reach values of 31.56 MPa and 75.35 MPa, respectively, representing increases of 43.45% and 2.39% compared to blank samples. When the mass ratio in the gun propellant is adjusted to be 1:3 for particle sizes of both types (38.44 μm and 10.00 μm), the impact resistance of NQ gun propellent is significantly enhanced, where in the impact strength is increasing to 7.60 MPa, which is 42.73% higher than that of the control sample using only coarse NQ. Hence, these findings provide meaningful insights into the performance optimization of NQ gun propellants, offering a scientific basis for the development of high-energy, high-strength propellant systems.

Source: FirePhysChem

DOI: 10.1016/j.fpc.2026.01.004