Burning Mechanism of Aluminized Solid Rocket Propellants Based on Energetic Binders

Abstract

This paper reports results obtained from an experimental study of the combustion mechanism of aluminized propellants based on an energetic binder. The techniques used in this investigation include: * Quench-collection of condensed combustion products in the gas phase zone above the burning surface and study of the products including mass, chemical, and structural analyses and particle size measurements * Measurement of propellant burning rate * Study of combustion residues collected using special plates On the basis of the experimental data obtained, a general physical picture of combustion of aluminized propellants based on energetic binders was developed. The results of this study allowed us to refine the general understanding of metallized propellant combustion, to identify problems related to the use of such propellants, and to suggest methods for the optimization of high-energy solid rocket propellants.* Quench-collection of condensed combustion products in the gas phase zone above the burning surface and direct study of the products, including mass, chemical, and structural analyses and particle size measurements * Measurement of the propellant burning rate * Study of combustion residues obtained using special collecting platesThe techniques and equipment used are described in [1] and [2]. For a quantitative description of the process the following parameters are used: * f m (D) -mass-median probability density of size of agglomerates * f m (d) -mass-median probability density of size of smoke oxide particles * Z m -fraction of unburned metal in agglomerates relative to initial metal content in propellant * Z ox m -fraction of initial metal content in propellant used to form oxide in agglomerates * Z a m -fraction of initial metal content in propellant used to form agglomerates * h -mass fraction of oxide in agglomerate * D 43 -mass-median diameter of agglomerates, mm

Detailed analysis of a quench bomb for the study of aluminum agglomeration in solid propellants

“…Many small pores are clearly visible with generally a large central cavity. Hollow residues were already reported, for instance, in [20]. Here, they are observed for both air and CO 2 atmosphere although pictures presented in Fig.…”

Analysis and synthesis of solutions for the agglomeration process modeling

“…Occurrence SL at propellant burning is possible only at formation of a carbon skeleton [36,38]. Consequently, the possibility of the carbon skeleton formation and SL is connected with conditions of the binder decomposition ¡ ¦rst of all, with oxidizing components concentration.…”

“…Within other structural formations ¡ ¤interpocket bridges¥ which are characterized by increased oxidizing components concentration ¡ formation of the SL does not occur. It should be noted that the usage of active binders leads to increase of oxidizing components as well as within the ¤pockets¥ which, in turn, leads to suppression of the agglomeration process [36].…”

Condensed combustion products from burning of nanoaluminum-based propellants: properties and formation mechanism

“…It can be asserted that agglomerates form only from the metal fuel participating in SL formation. The necessary condition of SL formation is the availability of connected structures from metal particles [13,21]. In turn, their occurrence can be closely connected with two phenomena:…”