IGNITION OF SIMULATED PROPELLANTS BASED ON AMMONIUM PERCHLORATE

Abstract

The ignitability of simulated solid propellants based on NH4C1O4 was studied using the radiation from an arc image furnace as a source of ignition energy. The experimental measurements provide (for given conditions) the minimum time of exposure to radiation required for ignition and combustion of pellets pressed from powdered mixtures of : NH4C1O4 and copper chromite; NH4C1O4, carbon, and copper chromite; and NH4C1O4, copper chromite, and polyethylene. Minimum exposure times were determined as a function of pellet composition, flux (20 to 120 cal/sq cm sec), pressure (1 to 40 atm), and composition of the atmosphere (N2, He, A) in contact with the pellet. The experimental results in conjunction with supplementary kinetic information indicate that, for these materials, gas phase ignition need not be preceded by a catastrophic rate of heat release within the sample. The critical chemical species involved during gas phase ignition is probably perchloric acid. Under some circumstances, a high rate of solid reaction does appear to be involved during ignition of the materials.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 30, 1965
Accession Number
AD0619067

Entities

People

  • Henry Wise
  • Norman Fishman
  • Willis A. Rosser

Organizations

  • SRI International

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ammonium Perchlorate
  • Atmospheres
  • Burning Rate
  • Chemical Reaction Properties
  • Chemical Reactions
  • Combustion
  • Composite Propellants
  • Decomposition
  • Heat Transfer
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Particle Size
  • Physical Properties
  • Propellants
  • Solid Propellants
  • Surface Temperature
  • Thermal Conductivity

Readers

  • Electrochemical Engineering/ Fuel Cell Technologies
  • Rocket Propulsion.