Military Propellants

Generic Propellant Tables
Propellant Name	Application	Service	Era	Flame Temperature (Kelvin)	Composition	Impetus (kJ/kg)	Density (kg/m3)
Du Pont 16 (IMR 3031)	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
Du Pont 4320	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
Du Pont 4350	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
Brown (Cocoa) Powder	Unknown	All	1880	Unknown	78.83% Potassium Nitrate 17.8% Charcoal 2.04% Sulfur 1.33% Moisture	Unknown	Unknown
Black Powder (1200s Composition)	Lots	All	1200s	Unknown	37.5% Potassium Nitrate 31.25% Charcoal 31.25% Sulfur	Unknown	Unknown
Black Powder (Modern Standard)	Lots	All	1780 - Present	2,120	75% Potassium Nitrate 15% Charcoal 10% Sulfur	298.9	Unknown
IMR Smokeless Powder	Lots	All	Unknown	2,900 to 3,000	Unknown	833.93	Unknown

US Propellant Tables
Propellant Name	Application	Country	Era	Flame Temperature (Kelvin)	Composition	Impetus (kJ/kg)	Density (kg/m3)
IMR 6962 Single Base Extruded	Small Arms Propellant (20mm)	US Army					970
IMR 7013 Single Base Extruded	Small Arms Propellant (20mm)	US Army					950
IMR 7005 Single Base Extruded	Small Arms Propellant (20mm)	US Army					955
IMR 5010 Single Base Extruded	Small Arms Propellant (.50 Caliber)	US Army					950
IMR 4895 Single Base Extruded	Small Arms Propellant (.30 Caliber)	US Army					900
IMR 8138M Single Base Extruded	Small Arms Propellant (7.62mm)	US Army					885
IMR 8208M Single Base Extruded	Small Arms Propellant (5.56mm)	US Army					890
WC 880 Ball Propellant	Small Arms Propellant (20mm)	US Army					960
WC 875 Ball Propellant	Small Arms Propellant (20mm)	US Army					960
WC 876 Ball Propellant	Small Arms Propellant (20mm)	US Army					960
WC 860 Ball Propellant	Small Arms Propellant (.50 Caliber)	US Army					950
WC 852 Ball Propellant	Small Arms Propellant (.30 Caliber)	US Army					940
WC 846 Ball Propellant	Small Arms Propellant (7.62mm)	US Army					980
WC 844 Ball Propellant	Small Arms Propellant (5.56mm)	US Army					980
T18	Recoilless Rifle	US Army	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
T20	Artillery	US Army	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
T25	Recoilless Rifle	US Army	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
T34	Unknown	US Army	Unknown	2,608	Unknown	1,001.32	Unknown
T36	Unknown	US Army	Unknown	3,040	Unknown	1089.49	Unknown
M1	Artillery	US Army	Unknown	2,417	86% Nitrocellulose 9.9% Dinitrotoluene 3% Dibutylphthalate 1% Diphenylamine	923.6	1,569
M2	Artillery	US Army	Unknown	3,319	Unknown	1,076.04	Unknown
M5	Artillery	US Army	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
M6	Artillery	US Army	Unknown	2,570	Unknown	947.51	1,581
M7	Mortar	US Army	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
M8	Mortar	US Army	Unknown	Unknown	52.15% Nitrocellulose 43.00% Nitroglycerin 3.00% Diethylphthalate 1.25% Potassium Nitrate 0.60% Ethyl Centralite	Unknown	Unknown
M9	Mortar	US Army	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
M10	Recoilless Rifle	US Army	Unknown	3,000	Unknown	1013.27	1,669
M12	Small Arms	US Army	Unknown	3,319	Unknown	1,076.04	Unknown
M14	Artillery	US Army	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
M15A1	Artillery	US Army	Unknown	2,546	Unknown	992.35	Unknown
M17	Artillery	US Army	Unknown	3,017	Unknown	1,088	Unknown
M18	Small Arms	US Army	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
M26	Recoilless Rifle	US Army	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
M26E1	Unknown	US Army	Unknown	3,132	Unknown	1,085	1,611
M30	Artillery	US Army	Unknown	3,040	47% NQ 29% Nitrocellulose 22% Nitroglycerin 1.6% Ethyl Centralite 0.4% Cryolite	1,088	Unknown
M30A1 (Nitrate Ester)	Artillery	US Army	Unknown	3,036	Unknown	1,073.4	1,683
M30A2 (Nitrate Ester)	Unknown	US Army	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
M31	Unknown	US Army	Unknown	2,597	Unknown	1,001.32	Unknown
M31E1	Unknown	US Army	Unknown	2574	Unknown	973.8	1,642
M43 (RDX Nitramine)	Tank (M900A1 Round)	US Army	Unknown	3,065	Unknown	1,181	Unknown
JA-2 (Nitrate Ester)	Tank (M829A1/A2 Rounds)	US Army	Unknown	3,410	59.50% NC 14.90% Nitroglycerin 24.80% DEGDN 0.80% Misc	1,130.2	1,661
NACO	Naval Guns (Mk 67 Charge)	US Navy
EX-99	Naval Guns (EX 167 Charge)	US Navy	Unknown	3,019	76% RDX 12% Celluose Acetate Butyrate (CAB) 7.6% Acetal/Formal 4% Nitrocellulose 0.4% Ethyl Centralite	1,159	1,660
HELP-42	Unknown	US Navy	Unknown	2,555	Unknown	1,063	1,600
BAMO	Unknown	US Navy	Unknown	2,863	Unknown	1,191.36	1,639

French Propellant Tables
Propellant Name	Application	Country	Era	Flame Temperature (Kelvin)	Composition	Impetus (kJ/kg)	Density (kg/m3)
Poudre B	Lots	All	1884	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown

British Propellant Tables
Propellant Name	Application	Country	Era	Flame Temperature (Kelvin)	Composition	Impetus (kJ/kg)	Density (kg/m3)
Cordite Mk I	Lots	UK	1889	3,670	37% Nitrocellulose 58% Nitroglycerin 5% Mineral Jelly (Vaseline)	Unknown	Unknown
Cordite MD	Lots	UK	1901	3,217	65.68% Nitrocellulose 29.53% Nitroglycerin 4.45% Mineral Jelly (Vaseline) 0.34% Volatile Matter and Moisture	Unknown	Unknown
Cordite RDB	Lots	UK	WWI	3,218	52% Nitrocellulose 42% Nitroglycerin 6% Mineral Jelly (Vaseline)	Unknown	Unknown
Cordite SC	Lots	UK	WWII	3,090	50% Nitrocellulose 41% Nitroglycerin 9% Carbamite	Unknown	Unknown
Cordite NC	Lots	UK	Unknown	Unknown	96.9% Nitrocellulose 0.46% Diphenylamine 2.64% Volatile Matter and Moisture
Cordite N (Triple Base)	Lots	UK	WWII	2,441	19% Nitrocellulose 18% Nitroglycerin 55% Nitroguanidine 7% Carbamite 1% Other	953.49	Unknown
Cordite W	Unknown	UK	1935	3,304	65% Nitrocellulose 29% Nitroglycerin 3% Mineral Jelly (Vaseline) 2% Carbamite	Unknown	Unknown
Cordite A	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
Cordite AN	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
Cordite CD	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
Cordite WM	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
Ballistite	Unknown	Alfred Nobel	1887	Unknown	45% Nitroglycerin 45% Nitrocellulose 10% Camphor	Unknown	Unknown

German Propellant Tables
Propellant Name	Application	Country	Era	Flame Temperature (Kelvin)	Composition	Impetus (kJ/kg)	Density (kg/m3)
RP C/12	Naval Guns	Germany	1912	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
RP C/32	Naval Guns	Germany	1932	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
RP C/38	Naval Guns	Germany	1938	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
RP C/40	Naval Guns	Germany	1940	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown
Gu RP	Experimental	Germany	1940s	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown

Japanese Propellant Tables
Propellant Name	Application	Service	Era	Flame Temperature (Kelvin)	Composition	Impetus (kJ/kg)	Density (kg/m3)
Type 13 Cordite		IJN			30% Nitroglycerin 64.8% Mixed Nitrocellulose 4.5% Centralite 0.7% Mineral Matter 1% Volatile Matter
Type 89 Cordite		IJN			26.5% Nitroglycerin 68.5% Nitrocellulose 5% Jara Jara 1.5% Volatile Matter
Type 90 Mk 2 Cordite		IJN
Type 92 Cordite		IJN
Type 93 Mk 1 Cordite		IJN
Type 13 Smokeless Powder					64.4% Nitrocellulose 4.5% Centralite 30% Nitroglycerin 1.1% Inert Components
Composition G OTSU, Mk I					27% Nitroglycerin 64.3% Nitrocellulose 4% Centralite 4% Formyldiphenylamine 0.7% Inert
Composition G OTSU, Mk II					35% Nitroglycerin 59.3% Nitrocellulose 2.5% Centralite 2.5% Formyldiphenylamine 0.7% Inert

Experimental Propellants Table
Propellant Name	Application	Country	Era	Flame Temperature (Kelvin)	Composition	Impetus (kJ/kg)	Density (kg/m3)
XM-46	Liquid Propellant (Artillery)	US Army	1990s	2,459	19.2% TEAN 60.8% HAN 20% Water	898	1,430
OTTO II Monopropellant	Liquid Propellant (Artillery also used as Torpedo Fuel)	US Navy	1990s	1,986	76% Dinitroxypropane 22.5% Di-N-Butyl Sebacate 1.5% 2 Nitrodiphenylamine	866	1,230
Thikol Thermally Stable Caseless Cartridge Propellants	Experimental (US Patent 4,263,070)	US	1974	2,375	75% HMX 9.81% LDIM 11.99% Pluronic L-35 3.26% TMP 0.10% TiO(AA)2	830.94	Unknown
High Energy Thermoplastic Elastomer Propellant Sample G	Experimental (US Patent 6,997,996 B1)	US Army	2000	3,683	20% Oxetane Thermoplastic Elastomer 76% CL-20 High Explosive 4% TNAZ Plasticizer	1,348	Unknown
Rockwell Cool Burning Propellant	Experimental (US Patent 3,950,196)	US	1973	2,118	55% TAGED 20% 10% Ethyl Celluose 15% Trimetholethane Trinitrate	989.96	Unknown
Rockwell Nitroaminoguandine Propellant	Experimental (US Patent 4,373,976)	US	1977	2,675	70% Nitroaminoguanidine 10% HMX 17.5% Nitrocellulose 2.5%Triacetin	1,107.42	Unknown
ATK PRD-20	Experimental (US Patent 6,241,833 B1)	US	1998	3,372	41.90% NC 25.71% RDX 14% Methyl NENA 10% Ethyl NENA 7.69% Nitroglycerin 0.70% Misc	1,205.6	Unknown
ATK RPDS-21	Experimental (US Patent 6,241,833 B1)	US	1998	3,451	36.48% NC 30.33% RDX 13.44% Methyl NENA 9.57% Ethyl NENA 9.46% Nitroglycerin 0.72% Misc	1,226.1	Unknown
ATK RPDS-22	Experimental (US Patent 6,241,833 B1)	US	1998	3,551	31.11% NC 34.08% RDX 12.57% Methyl NENA 8.94% Ethyl NENA 12.58% Nitroglycerin 0.72% Misc	1,249.1	Unknown
Rockwell Ultra-High Energy Gun Propellant F-2	Experimental (US Patent 5,053,087)	US	1990	3,667	25% Binder (1/1/1 NC/DANPE/NIBTN) 50% DADNH 25% DATH	1,451.46	Unknown
Rockwell Ultra-High Energy Gun Propellant F-6	Experimental (US Patent 5,053,087)	US	1990	3,811	25% Binder (1/1/1 NC/DANPE/NIBTN) 60% DADNH 15% DATN	1,495.4	Unknown

Commonly Used Chemical Abbreviations
Abbreviation	Full Name
NQ	Nitroguanidine
NG	Nitroglycerin
TAGN	Triaminoguanidine Nitrate
HMX	Homocyclonite
NC	Nitrocellulose
GAP	Polyglycidyl Azide
NAGU	Nitroaminoguanidine
IDP	Isodecylpelarganate
RDX	Cyclo Trimethyl Trinitramine
NENA	Nitrato Ethyl Nitramines
DEGDN	Diethylene Glycol Dinitrate
EDNA	Ethylene Di-Nitrate
TEGDN	Triethylene Glycol Dinitrate
LOVA	Low-Vunerability Propellant
TAGED	Triaminoguanidine Ethylenedinitramine

HOW TO USE THE INFORMATION ABOVE

EXAMPLE: Let us say you want to see how much energy you can get if you replace the JA-2 Propellant currently used by the US Army's M1A2 Abrams' 120mm M829 Series Rounds with the Ultra High Energy Propellant that Rockwell developed in 1990.

We know that the M829 has the following specifications:

7.1 kg projectile
8.1 kg propellant
1,675 m/sec Muzzle Velocity

Which gives us 9,959,969 Joules of energy (Simplified to 9.96 MJ)

Looking at the table, we see that the mass impetus of UHP Composition F-2 is 1,495.4 kJ/kg.

So 8.1 kg of propellant times 1,495.4 kJ/kg gives us 12,113 kJ, or 12.11 MJ of energy.

This can be used in two ways; either tossing the existing round faster, or using a newer, heavier round.

To find the velocity if you wish to make the round go faster; the following equation works:

Velocity (M/sec) = SQRT(2*KineticEnergy/Mass)

This works into: SQRT(2*12,112,740/8.1) and gives us 1,729.39 m/sec.

IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW PROPELLANT: Please note that this is not a simple “easy” change the propellant for higher velocity; since the old JA-2 had a flame temperature of 3,410K, while the new propellant has one of 3,667K; some 7% higher than the old propellant. Most likely, unless you can find a set of additives to add to the propellant to reduce barrel wear from the “hotter” round, you will have reduced barrel life vice the old rounds.