COMBUSTION CHARACTERISTICS OF CRYSTALLINE OXIDIZERS.
Abstract
A fundamental understanding of the combustion characteristics of crystalline oxidizers like ammonium perchlorate is important if complete knowledge pertaining to the combustion and stability characteristics of composite solid propellants is to be attained. This research involved theoretical and experimental studies of the burning of crystalline oxidizers ranging in physical form from large single crystals to low bulk density powders. Single crystals, visually perfect throughout most of their mass, were grown from saturated water solution by a temperature lowering technique using a bath-control system-data acquisition combination that maintained temperatures to + or - 0.001 C. Electrical conductivities and UV absorption measurements showed them to be of high purity. A strand-burner, window-bomb and high-speed cinematography were used to obtain burning rate versus pressure. The study of large single crystal burning removed particle size, shape and bulk density factors as complications. The intrinsic burning rate of a single crystal is defined and postulated as a fundamental combustion variable. Low bulk density powder combustion was shown to be feasible. The characteristic burning surface for powder combustion was defined and shown to relate powder burning to single crystal burning. The explanation proposed for the large difference found between physical surface area available in the burning zone and the actual burning surface area, is the necessity for a minimum flame zone height above a stable burning surface. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0819626
Entities
People
- Elmer Ellsworth Hackman Iii
Organizations
- University of Delaware