Melt crystallization of ammonium dinitramide suspensions with additives investigated by means of X-ray diffraction

Ammonium dinitramide (ADN) is a promising oxidizer for solid rocket propellants. In-situ XRD investigations of ADN suspensions with additives were performed to understand emulsion crystallization processes of spherical ADN particles (prills). Therefore, samples are heated up to the melt at 96°C and cooled stepwise to room temperature in an X-ray diffractometer. Diffraction patterns, captured after the temperature steps, are evaluated in terms of crystallinity and microstructure. The investigations show that additives and liquid suspension media influence the crystallization of ADN. The results shall be used to improve the quality of ADN prills produced at the Fraunhofer ICT technical plant.