The gelatinization of nitrocellulose by primary stabilizers

The examination results of the gelatinization of nitrocellulose gunpowders, stabilized by different stabilizers are described in this study. The microstructure of gunpowder samples of different chemical compositions is analyzed by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Apart from the three-dimensional picture of morphology and the effect of the molecular dispersion of stabilizers into the nitrocellulose matrix, the in­formation on chemical composition of the surface of gunpowder grain was obtained by the use of energy-dispersive X-rays spectrometry on SEM (SEM/EDX). The aim of the research was the comparative analysis of three different gunpowder samples, and the estimation of the effect on the gelatinization of nitrocellulose by different stabilizers was performed including their separate influences on the chemical stability of gunpowder. The comparative analysis is based on the degree of homogenous dispersion of each stabilizer in the matrix, which has the significant positive influence on the stability of gunpowder.