Influence of Bicurative on Processibility of Composite Propellant

A new series of composite propellant compositions, based on ammonium perchlorate,hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene and having metallic fuel as aluminium powder, have beendeveloped. Pressure cast-cum-cured compositions have also been developed with toluenediisocyanate (TDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), and a mixture of both curatives, i.e., TDIand IPDI, respectively, to study their effect on processibility, mechanical and ballistic propertiesof the compositions.  The data indicate that the compositions based on bicurative have a potlife of 7 - 8 h, viscosity build up is from 13280 poise to 14080 poise after 4 h, and the smoothprocessibility of the slurry is enhanced. Further, the mechanical properties are in the range12.2 kg/cm2, 40.2 kg/cm2, and 40.2 per cent for tensile strength, E-modulus and elongation,respectively, and burn rate is almost the same, i.e., 16 ±0.5 mm/s

Experimental Approaches to Develop a High Thrust Ratio in a Single Chamber Dual Thrust Motor Using a Composite Propellant Formulation Based on HTPB/AP/Al

A high thrust ratio in a single chamber dual thrust motor is required to reach a peak velocity very quickly. To achieve a high thrust ratio in a single chamber dual thrust motor, a composite propellant grain, which acts both as booster and sustainer, based on HTPB/AP/Al (84% solid loading) with low aluminum content and having a burning rate of 25±0.5 mm/s at 7 MPa, was successfully developed. This was studied for viscosity build-up, mechanical and ballistic properties, followed by casting and curing as a single type propellant grain. The high burning surface area was created by making grooves of 3 mm width and 60 mm depth over the surface of the nozzle side of the grain while casting and a prototype, thus obtained, was static tested. The data revealed that a grain with one groove demonstrated a thrust ratio of 8, while two grooves, realized a thrust ratio of 30. The experimental thrust ratio values achieved are also in agreement with the predicted values of the thrust ratio of the same composition

Experimental Approaches to Develop a High Thrust Ratio in a Single Chamber Dual Thrust Motor Using a Composite Propellant Formulation Based on HTPB/AP/Al

A high thrust ratio in a single chamber dual thrust motor is required to reach a peak velocity very quickly. To achieve a high thrust ratio in a single chamber dual thrust motor, a composite propellant grain, which acts both as booster and sustainer, based on HTPB/AP/Al (84% solid loading) with low aluminum content and having a burning rate of 25±0.5 mm/s at 7 MPa, was successfully developed. This was studied for viscosity build-up, mechanical and ballistic properties, followed by casting and curing as a single type propellant grain. The high burning surface area was created by making grooves of 3 mm width and 60 mm depth over the surface of the nozzle side of the grain while casting and a prototype, thus obtained, was static tested. The data revealed that a grain with one groove demonstrated a thrust ratio of 8, while two grooves, realized a thrust ratio of 30. The experimental thrust ratio values achieved are also in agreement with the predicted values of the thrust ratio of the same composition

Studies on High Burning Rate Composite Propellant Formulations using TATB as Pressure Index Suppressant

High burning rate propellant compositions are generally used in gas generators to eject missile from canister. Because of high burning rate, pressure index of the composition increases during burning. To reduce the pressure index, a high burning rate composite propellant formulations (~20 mm/s) based on AP/HTPB/Al have been prepared by incorporating TATB and studied in detail for viscosity build-up, thermal and mechanical properties, sensitivity as well as burning rate and pressure index (n). The data indicate that there is a decrease in end of mix viscosity on increasing the percentage of TATB. The same trend was also observed with mechanical properties while significant improvement in overall thermal stability was clearly observed. The sensitivity data indicate that impact and friction values show decreasing trend infer better safe to handle. The burn rate data reveal that on addition of TATB from 0.5 to 2% decrease in burning rate was not observed while on addition of further TATB up to 5% and beyond this significant decrease in burning rate was observed. The data on pressure index (n) also reveal that TATB is very effective in reducing the 'n' value up to 2% and beyond this 'n' value increases close to standard composition. The data on 'n' value reveal that it reduces from 0.47 to that of standard composition to 0.36 for the compositions containing TATB up to 2.0% in the pressure range of 60-90 kg/cm2

Red sea bream iridovirus infection in cage farmed Asian sea bass (Lates calcarifer): Insights into the pathology, epizootiology, and genetic diversity

Red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) is an emerging viral pathogen having significant socio-economic and environmental impacts on marine and brackish aquaculture systems. The study documents certain interesting findings of an RSIV disease outbreak that caused 50% cumulative mortality among cage farmed Asian sea bass in India. The confirmatory diagnosis was made based on internationally approved protocols. The affected fish showed splenomegaly, anaemia, and abnormally enlarged cells within the spleen, liver, kidney, and brain. The consistent presence of two fish pathogens, viz., Vibrio alginolyticus and Vibrio fluvialis, in the liver, along with characteristic vibrio-induced pathologies were noted, indicating the possible role of these bacterial pathogens in RSIV pathogenesis during the outbreak. More strikingly, the surviving fish were found to carry the virus even after two months post-outbreak, warranting future investigations on the carrier status of RSIV survivors. Transmission electron microscopy in the survivors demonstrated atypical virus particles within the degenerated cells of the vital organs, suggesting the role of host immune response in preventing the maturation of RSIV particles in the survivors. Phylogram based on MCP and ATPase genes demonstrated the spread of the same RSIV clone across different countries, regardless of the fish species. Results also revealed the presence of two RSIV subtypes. Both subtypes were mainly distributed in marine demersal fishes of Asian countries. Presently, subtype 2 is the most frequently reported one. Subtype 1 revealed higher genetic diversity with a wider geographical spread and host range. Molecular analyses revealed that MCP and ATPase genes could be targeted in RSIV subtyping, with MCP as a better candidate. A purifying selection was observed on the MCP gene that can be applied for diagnostic protocols. In short, the study generates certain thought-provoking insights on RSIV through the analyses of a recent outbreak along with the genetic and epizootiological data of global strains. Further, the paper also forms the first report on the presence of RSIV in surviving fish post-disease outbreak in the absence of clinical signs. Altogether, the results highlight the necessity of strengthening quarantine and RSIV diagnostic measures to have sustainable aquaculture practices

Histopathological changes in the gills associated with Dactylogyrus spp. infestation in Orange-spotted Grouper, Epinephelus coioides reared in Sea Cages.

A study was conducted to investigate the histological changes in the gills of orange-spotted grouper infested with flukes of Dactylogyrus spp. Several histological changes were observed in the gill which included complete fusion of secondary lamellae, dilatation of the venous sinus at the middle of the primary lamellae, oedema and complete loss of secondary lamellae, et