Nitramine double base propellants

This review paper broadly covers the studies conducted on nitramine double base (DB) propellants, particularly in the field of formulation, evaluation, catalysis and combustion mechanism. Addition of RDX and HMX in double base matrix shows relatively low burn rates and high pressure index values. Further, the burn rate of this class of propellants enhances in the presence of energetic binders/plasticisers like glycidyl azide polymer. This paper also discusses the combustion mechanism of HMX/RDX-based DB propellants, especially in the presence of catalytic salts. As scanty data is available on extruded nitramine DB propellants, further work is needed in the field of formulation as well as evaluation with a view to generate exhaustive data.