Electrical effects in propellant compositions radiated by electrons

Radiation-induced electrical conductivity of composite and ballistite solid propellants under pulsed (2.5 $\cdot$ 10$^{-6}$ sec) and continuous (1–100 sec) radiation by a flux of fast electrons is studied. Conditions for the development of an electrical breakdown during electron radiation are determined, and the relation between this phenomenon and the composition of the composite propellant is considered. For the ballistite propellant, radiation-induced conductivity is studied both in the highly elastic and in the vitreous state. Based on experimental results, the parameters of a semi-empirical model of radiation-induced conductivity are determined for both types of propellants.