A review of stability test methods for gun and mortar propellants, i: the chemistry of propellant ageing

Current methods for the prediction of the safe shelf life of gun and mortar propellants are evaluated. This is achieved in a four part approach. Firstly, the current picture of the chemical stability of gun propellants is presented. Secondly, the concepts of stability testing and artificial ageing are reviewed. Thirdly, the traditional and fourthly, the modern testing methods are discussed. In this way, it is possible to identify the reasons for replacing traditional with modern methods and to indicate the methods which would be most appropriate to implement in a country's stability surveillance program for its stored propellants.