Development of Polyurethane‐Based Solid Propellants Using Nanocomposite Materials

Abstract

Mechanically‐activated nanocomposites (MANCs) of nano‐aluminum (nAl)/X (X=Cu, Ni, Zn, Mg, and graphite) were used as replacements for reference nAl powder and as catalytic ingredients in polyurethane (PU) propellants. The effects of their use on combustion heat, burning rate, and thermal decomposition were investigated. It was found that MANCs have catalytic effects and the modified propellants have enhanced the released heat, burning rate, and thermal decomposition properties. MANCs‐based propellants have improved the processing and the mechanical properties with acceptable safety aspects. They can be used for catalytic applications in solid propellants to improve their energetic, burning rate, and thermal decomposition characteristics.

The role of interlayer gases and surface asperities in compression-induced intermetallic formation in Ni/Al nanocomposites

“…5,[8][9][10] Intermetallic alloying reactions proceeding from bimetallic RNSCs are capable of rapidly generating very high temperatures in a well-localised capacity, without the evolution of gas (leading to the appellations 'solid flame material' and 'gasless exothermic material') and without any requirement for an exogenous oxidising agent or atmosphere. These properties make RNSCs of Ni and Al attractive as robust reactive materials for pyrotechnic, ignition, and incendiary applications, [11][12][13][14] liners for shaped charges, 15 soldering or brazing of electrical, mechanical, and thermal interfaces, 16,17 and other applications where compact in situ generation of high temperatures is required. Moreover, the endogenous heat of the Ni/Al alloying reaction may be employed as an adjunct to external heat sources in the energy-efficient near-net manufacture of Ni x Al y superalloys, 18,19 or prospectively in the 3D printing of superalloy parts via so-called reactive laser sintering (RLS).…”

Preparation and Characterization of Polyurethane/Nitrocellulose Blends as Binder for Composite Solid Propellants

“…The common formulations of composite solid propellants (CSPs) and polymer-bonded explosives (PBXs) contain polyurethane polymeric binders [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11], which are essentially based on hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) or glycidyl azide polymer (GAP), used as prepolymers [12][13][14][15][16]. During the last few decades, composite propellant compositions based on polyester prepolymer binder systems (HTPS) have been elaborated as potential substitutes for HTPB and GAP compounds [17][18][19][20].…”

Fuel Ratio and Additives Influence on the Combustion Parameters of Novel Polyurethane-based Flares

“…Another important advantage of polyurethane-based formulations is related to the release of rich carbon-and hydrogen-combustion products, improving the spectral performance of the formulation. Such compositions show low friction, electrostatic and impact sensitivity, while the polymer matrix used in the formulations has a good chemical stability and protects the energetic ingredients against degradation caused by moisture and oxidation [8][9].…”

“…In order to combine the facile ignition of magnesium with the high energy content of aluminum, a magnesium-aluminum alloy, commercially sold as Magnalium, has been employed as fuel. This material has been widely used in pyrotechnics, especially in illumination and flash compositions [8][9][21][22][23]].…”