MICROSCOPIC AND MICROCHEMICAL STUDY OF AGED SOLID PROPELLANT GRAINS
Abstract
Extensive analyses were made of the number, size, and distribution of refractive type reactive sites in model grains aged at 110, 120 and 130 F. Another grain aged at 180 F showed the formation of only very few aging sites. The analyses led to mapping of the sites on the basis of contours proportional to the volume concentration of the sites. The volume concentration was greatest in the samples aged at 110 F and decreased with increasing aging temperature. This effect was interpreted in terms of a volatile component whose residence time in the model grains was a function of the temperature. A further analysis of colored reaction sites was made. A blue halo observed by dark field phase contrast optics was explained in terms of Rayleigh scattering from molecular size particles. The color of these sites seemed to be caused by the oxidation state of the iron compounds in the propellant and to be indicative of the oxidation state of the environment. Chemical analyses by chromatography and infrared indicated that visibly degraded propellant differed from aged, non-degraded propellant only in the size of the fragments. Both propellants contained fragments which were chemically identical and typical for a polyurethane system.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0813853
Entities
People
- Anthony J. Dimilo
- James L. Mcgurk
Organizations
- Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings