Research on the extraction of aging characteristics from diethylene glycol dinitrate propellant using RGB image
Yingyi Wu1, Yanchun Li1, Qian Guo1
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China. liyanchun@njust.edu.cn.
The Analyst
|October 17, 2025
Summary
Diethylene glycol dinitrate (DEGDN) propellant degrades by losing nitrate ester plasticizers, with DEGDN consumed fastest. This degradation correlates with color changes, enabling rapid component detection.
Area of Science:
- Energetic Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Diethylene glycol dinitrate (DEGDN) propellant is crucial for weapon systems.
- Understanding propellant aging is vital for weapon safety and reliability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the thermal reaction mechanism and aging characteristics of DEGDN propellant.
- To investigate component changes under humidity and temperature stress.
- To develop a rapid detection method for propellant components.
Main Methods:
- Thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry-quadrupole mass spectrometry (TG-DSC-QMS) for thermal analysis.
- High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for component analysis.
- Colorimetric analysis (RGB parameters) for degradation monitoring.
Main Results:
- Propellant aging primarily involves the loss of nitrate ester plasticizers.
- DEGDN exhibits the fastest consumption rate, followed by nitroglycerin.
- A linear correlation exists between extraction solution color and component loss.
Conclusions:
- Humidity and temperature accelerate the degradation of DEGDN propellant components.
- A quantitative model linking DEGDN content to RGB parameters was established.
- This provides a novel method for rapid propellant component assessment.
