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Deterrent Coatings and Stabilizers

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Deterrent coatings can help to slow the rate of energy release when needed. A propellant loaded in a low-velocity cartridge will carry minimal deterrent; a higher-velocity cartridge requires more deterrent to maintain firing pressure longer. A common strategy is to blend deterred and undeterred granules in the same propellant. This slows energy release through staged burning; the undeterred granules burn first.

Stabilizers are preservatives used to increase storage life. Common stabilizers are found in the diphenylamine family.

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