Internal Debonding of Solid Rocket Fuel: An Experimental Investigation
Abstract
The objective of this study was the development of a method to compute the fracture energy required to debond crystal particles in a solid rocket fuel. A blister test was defined that pressurizes an initially debonded region to generate an adhesive fracture. An LVDT measures the displacement of the blister. The fracture energy is expressed in terms of the critical loading, displacement, specimen geometry and material properties. Consistent results required developing a proper casting and curing method for thin polymeric layers onto a crystal substrate. Various thicknesses and substrates were examined. The study found that the deflection of the blister behaved like a plate and could be analyzed as one to compute the adhesive fracture energy. The dimensionless values of fracture energy fell along predictable curves for small values of adhesive thicknesses to blister radii. The adhesive fracture energy was found to be a function of force applied, adhesive material properties and blister geometry. The value for adhesive fracture energy on a crystal substrate is compared to a Plexiglass substrate substrate for an epoxy resin. And a polished and unpolished crystal specimen's fracture energy are compared. Theses.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1988
- Accession Number
- ADA205903
Entities
People
- James N. Hanley
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology