HTPB Ballistic Motor Analysis Verification.
Abstract
This report describes the final stages of a program begun in 1974 with the manufacture of three Third Stage Minuteman motors using an HTPB propellant (TP-H1139). Two of the motors, one to the Aerojet design and the other to the Thiokol design, were instrumented with internal stress and strain gages. The third motor was successfully fired, and the two instrumented motors were placed in 80 F simulated silo storage for three years. The gages were monitored periodically during storage. The report summarizing this early work pointed out several weaknesses in the program, and the current program was undertaken to correct these problems. It is concluded that in spite of some inherent problems with the gages, which could be reduced with modified sensors, the program was successful in monitoring grain stress/strain changes during long term storage and during subsequent thermal cycling and pressurization. Because of drift problems, gage data analysis was more troublesome than anticipated, but the results were worthwhile. The HTPB propellant (TP-H1139) was found to behave in an exemplary fashion during realistic ballistic motor storage and showed very little evidence of physical property degradation at the completion of the program.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADB062970
Entities
People
- H. Leeming
- J. Poelman
- L. Jensen