LOVA Propellant Formulations Based on RDX and GAP Energetic Plasticizer Obtained by Precipitation Method

In this study a facile and scalable precipitation method was developed, significantly reducing solvent consumption and eliminating nitrocellulose, thereby offering a safer and lower environmental impact alternative to conventional LOVA manufacturing routes. Thus, the fabrication of nitrocellulose-free low vulnerability ammunition (LOVA) gun propellants, based on RDX (cyclotrimethylene trinitramine) as an energetic component and CA (cellulose acetate) or CAB (cellulose acetate butyrate) plasticized with GAP (glycidyl azido polymer) as binder matrix was achieved. The process enables the simultaneous formation of micrometric RDX crystals and their coating by the polymer matrix, providing a safer strategy for LOVA development. The obtained LOVA formulations were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential thermal analysis (DTA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and heat flow Calorimetry (HFC) analyses. Also, sensitivity to impact and friction mechanical stimuli, and initial ballistic testing using closed vessel system were performed to comparatively evaluate the parameters of the novel propellant formulations. The CA‑based formulation precipitated at room-temperature exhibited a near‑unit Vielle exponent (υ ≈ 1.101) and performance between single‑ and double‑base propellants, while maintaining lower sensitivity than RDX and a single‑base reference. These results support the proposed direction as a cost‑effective, safer alternative for next‑generation of LOVA propellants.