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1990
Conference Paper
Titel
Polymeric binder and the combustion of solid propellants
Alternative
Polymere Binder und ihre Wirkung auf den Abbrand von Festtreibstoffen
Abstract
This paper describes a preliminary investigation into the effects of binder properties on composite solid propellant burning rate. A standard ammonium perchlorate/aluminium rocket propellant containing 73 volume percent solids was examined using separate binder systems. It was found that the binder, which functions as the contiuous phase in solid propellants, significantly influences the combustion process. Measured burning rates at reference conditions varied from 3 to 18 mm/s, and similar large differences were observed for burning rate temperature sensitivity, ranging from near 9 to 40 x 10 high -4 K high -1. Additionally, it was postulated that the burning rate could be factored into two components: one temperature independent and the other temperature dependent. The temperature independent part was found to be inversely proportional to the binder decomposition temperature, while the dependent portion correlated weakly with the thermal expansion coeeficient for binder free volume a bove the glass transition. These data, should they be confirmed by further investigations, indicate that additional properties of the continuous phase should be included in models of solid propellants combustion.