Method of making multi-base propellants from pelletized nitrocellulose

A method of making a rocket motor assembly comprising a rocket motor case, a multi-base rocket motor propellant loaded in the case, and a nozzle in operative association with the rocket motor case to receive and discharge combustion products generated upon ignition of the rocket motor propellant, said method comprising:

• diluting nitrocellulose pellets in at least one organic non-solvent to form a slurry;
• coating the nitrocellulose pellets with at least one elastomer precursor polymer to form coated nitrocellulose pellets in the slurry, wherein the at least one elastomer precursor polymer is a liquid at room temperature;
• removing substantially all of the at least one organic non-solvent from the slurry, wherein the slurry is maintained substantially free of plasticizer prior to removing substantially all of the at least one organic non-solvent therefrom;
• subsequent to said removing substantially all of the at least one organic non-solvent from the slurry, mixing the coated nitrocellulose pellets with at least one plasticizer to form a propellant formulation;
• casting the propellant formulation in the rocket motor case to form a cast propellant formulation;
• and
• providing the nozzle in operative association with the rocket motor case.

A method of making a multi-base rocket motor propellant, comprising:

• diluting nitrocellulose pellets in at least one organic non-solvent to form a slurry;
• coating the nitrocellulose pellets with at least one non-elastomeric, non-plasticizer to form coated nitrocellulose pellets in the slurry, wherein the at least one non-elastomeric, non-plasticizer is a liquid at room temperature;
• removing substantially all of the at least one organic non-solvent from the slurry, wherein the slurry is maintained substantially free of plasticizer prior to removing substantially all of the at least one organic non-solvent therefrom;
• subsequent to removing substantially all of the at least one organic non-solvent from the slurry, mixing the coated nitrocellulose pellets with at least one plasticizer to form a propellant formulation;
• and
• casting the propellant formulation to form a cast propellant formulation.

A rocket motor assembly comprising a rocket motor case, a crosslinked multi-base rocket motor propellant loaded in the case, and a nozzle in operative association with the rocket motor case to receive and discharge combustion products generated upon ignition of the crosslinked multi-base rocket motor propellant, said crosslinked multi-base rocket motor propellant comprising:

• nitrocellulose;
• at least one elastomer, wherein the at least one elastomer is a liquid at room temperature;
• and
• at least one plasticizer.