Evaluation of Additives to Reduce Solid Propellant Flammability in Ambient Air.
Abstract
An experimental investigation to obtain an understanding of how chemical additives (i.e., flame inhibitors, char formers, and coolants) intended to reduce the likelihood of accidental ignition and flammability affect the combustion of high energy propellants in ambient air. Several composite propellants were made more resistant to ignition. However, test results for high energy propellants revealed that (once ignition occurred) the continual resupply of reactants (both air and propellant products) overwhelms the contributions of the additives and prevents self-extinguishment in ambient air. In some cases elimination of the conventional external flame resulted in smoldering which produced extremely hazardous, explosive gases. Several of the moderately high energy nitramine composite propellants with high decomposition temperature binders are several times more resistant to accidental ignition than conventional propellants and are easily extinguished, if ignited.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1975
- Accession Number
- ADA019108
Entities
People
- Anthony Z. Mackiewicz
- Leonard H. Caveny
- Martin Summerfield
Organizations
- Princeton University