Development of Solid Propulsion Mix and Characterization Facility

Abstract

Funding to build a state-of-the-art solid propulsion and combustion laboratory (SPACL) atCalifornia State University, Long Beach is proposed. The SPACL is anticipated to providecapabilities of creating new reactive materials, incorporating them into propellant or solid ramjetfuel mixes in order to fully characterize and understand the combustion or decompositiondynamics of those composites. The diagnostic and analytical techniques will provide anapproach to compare the performance of new or altered materials/formulations to previous dataand legacy materials. The suite of instrumentation includes high energy ball mill, resonantacoustic mixer, vacuum oven, and particle size analyzer to create propellant and fuel grains.Characterization of the thermal response of these materials will be completed by acquiringgravimetric, calorimetric and spectroscopic equipment. Mix viscosity and mechanical propertiesof the composites facilities at elevated and cold temperatures will be established with aviscometer and a tensile tester with environmental chamber. Award of this proposal togetherwith collaboration between the SPACL and the Navy labs, particularly the Naval Air WarfareCenter Weapons Division, China Lake due to its proximity, will establish a synergeticrelationship between the organizations that will enable Navy researchers to conduct theirinvestigations in a more cost effective manner. More importantly, this investment will train thenext generation of researchers in support of the warfighter through conducting relevantcombustion and propulsion research while being exposed to equipment used in DoD labs.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Apr 25, 2019
Source ID
N000141912270

Entities

People

  • Joseph Kalman

Organizations

  • California State University, Long Beach
  • Office of Naval Research
  • United States Navy

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Materials Science.
  • Research Science/Academic Research
  • Rocket Propulsion.