Mussel-inspired PTW@PDA composites for developing high-energy gun propellants with reduced erosion and enhanced mechanical strength

The severe erosion and inadequate mechanical strength are prominent challenges for high-energy gun propellants. To address it, novel PTW@PDA composites was prepared by polydopamine(PDA)-modifying onto potassium titanate whisker(PTW, K2Ti6O13), and after was incorporated into gun propellant as erosion-reducing and mechanical-reinforcing fillers. The interfacial characterizations results indicated that as-prepared PTW@PDA composites exhibits an enhanced surface compatible with propellant matrix, thereby facilitating their dispersion into propellants more effectively than raw PTW materials. Compared to original propellants, PTW@PDA-modified propellants exhibited significant less erosion, with a Ti–K-based protective coating being detected on the eroded steel. And 0.5 wt% and 1.0 wt% addition of PTW@PDA significantly improved impact, compressive and tensile strength of propellants. Despite the inevitably reduction in relative force, PTW@PDA slightly increase propellant burning rate while exerting little adverse impact on propellant dynamic activity. This strategy can provide a promising alternative to develop high-energy gun propellant with less erosion and more mechanical strength.