Comparative Crystallization Study of Several Linear Dinitramines in Nitrocellulose‐Based Gels

Abstract This study deals with the crystallization behaviour of several dinitramines with plasticizing abilities in a nitrocellulose‐based gel. The tendency of these compounds to interact with nitrocellulose is an important parameter for the development of new propellants, especially for those which should have a temperature‐independent combustion. It is shown that, on the basis of their crystallization behaviour, the nine studied dinitramines form three different groups. Whereas the first one (large symmetrical molecules) exhibits a strong crystallization tendency, the second group (asymmetric compounds) has low crystalline contents and shows a good interaction capacity with nitrocellulose. At last, DNDA6 (2,4‐dinitro‐2,4‐diazahexane) with 3.3 noncrystallizing molecules per anhydroglucosidic unit of nitrocellulose, presents the most pronounced interaction with nitrocellulose, due to its lowest content of crystalline plasticizer.