DEVELOPMENT OF A COMPOSITE PROPELLANT

Abstract

A program was undertaken to develop a composite propellant technology and capability based on plasticized carboxy-terminated polybutadiene polymer (CTPB). The effects of processing and compositional variables on cure time, curing rate and mechanical properties were studied with dummy propellant formulations. Highly plasticized compositions were shown to have adequate mechanical properties and to be easily castable. Ballistic studies made on the CTPB propellants defined the effect of compositional changes on burning rate and specific impulse. Burning rates could be controlled through oxidizer particle size, Al particle size and concentration, and through catalysis. Plasticizers had no effect on burning rate or specific impulse. Specific impulse efficiencies were low in small motors except at low Al levels. Impulse scaling studies showed that the use of ferrocene as a catalyst did not improve impulse efficiency in large motors. Its effect was to shorten the burning time and reduce heat losses, thus giving higher measured specific impulse values in small motors. (Author)

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 22, 1965
Accession Number
AD0361714

Entities

People

  • James L. Chaille

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ammonium Perchlorate
  • Burning Rate
  • Catalysts
  • Combustion
  • Composite Materials
  • Composite Propellants
  • Heat Loss
  • Measurement
  • Mechanical Properties
  • New Jersey
  • Particle Size
  • Physical Properties
  • Polymers
  • Propellants
  • Solid Propellants
  • Specific Impulse
  • Synthetic Rubber

Readers

  • Combustion science or combustion engineering.
  • Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Technology.
  • Polymer Science and Engineering.