Initiation Mechanisms of Solid Rocket Propellant Detonation
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to identify mechanisms responsible for several accidental detonations of high-energy solid rocket propellant motors. Simple models were used to predict transient gas pressures within burning propellent cracks following arrival of a stress wave. Stress waves are the consequence of cracks propagating into a cavity containing gas at much higher pressure that initially within the crack. Two factors were found important in creating gas pressures of similar magnitude and duration as needed to initiate propellants by impact. Namely, the generation of melt or foam that sustains accelerated burning; and the production of stress waves that accelerate the burning by partially collapsing cracks and subsequently lessen crack expansion while the pressures continue to rise before decaying. Experiments designed to achieve DDT were unsuccessful due to inadequate piston closure of the void space over burning propellant. It was suspected that inadequate closure was due to blow off of melt raising pressures sufficiently to stop the piston before adequate closure was achieved.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA099161
Entities
People
- A. N. Takata
- A. Wiedermann
Organizations
- IIT Research Institute