Performance enhancement of gelled nitromethane propellants using metallic particles and hydrids

Nitromethane is a promising candidate to be used as gelled mono-propellant for rocket propulsion. To enhance the performance metallic or other pyrotechnic particles may be added. This study considers the thermodynamic performance of NM mixed with Al, B, Mg, Si, Ti and Zr as well as AlH3 and MgH2. The burning behaviour of gelled NM including fumed silica and filled with 10% of these particles was investigated under pressure from 2 to 13 MPa in a window bomb regarding burning velocity and combustion temperature. Stable and self-propagating combustion were found resulting in increased burning velocities and improved ignition behaviour. The replacement of Aluminium and Magnesium by their corresponding hydrides may result in similar specific impulse at lower temperatures. Fumed silica that is widely used as a gelling agent is able to react exothermic with metal filler particles.