The experimental characterization of particle dynamics in solid composite propellants

Joseph Elijah Moore, Purdue University

Abstract

There are many parameters affecting the size and behavior of aluminum (Al) droplets on and near the burning surface of composite solid propellants. Multiple points of view are studied in the current investigation. The first is in the development of a Statistical Image Correlation Velocimeter (SICV) to analyze the velocity of exhaust particles and gases leaving the burning surface. Many of the analysis techniques used in the validation of the SICV software are then used to conduct further analysis including additional propellants. The next portion of the study looks at the effect of changing two of the formulation parameters in the propellant: the metal fuel content, and the polymer binder composition. Al/Nickel (Ni) clad particles are used as an additive to the conventional Al powder. Titanium-Boron (Ti-B) is also studied as another potential intermetallic additive. The nature of the binder is studied by examining the differences between propellants made with hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) and dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) binders. Strand burns are conducted in the open atmosphere as well as in a windowed combustion vessel at pressures ranging from atmospheric to 700 psig. The burning surface linear regression rate, as well as size of the agglomerated metal fuel particles leaving the surface is measured using macro- and microscopic high speed imaging followed by video analysis using modeling tools and digital particle sizing algorithms. It is shown that the partial replacement of Al with Al/Ni clad particles decreases the average size of the agglomerated particles and increases the propellant burning rate. An optimum fraction likely exists. It is also shown that ball milling, or mechanical activation, of the Al/Ni particles leads to a further increase in the burning rate of the propellant. This is likely due to a decrease in the ignition temperature of the material after it has undergone mechanical activation. Analysis of binder-specific samples reveals that the addition of a DCPD-based binder instead of an HTPB binder increases the linear burning rate, but the average diameter of the agglomerated aluminum particles leaving the surface also increases. A hypothesis is also formed for the poor performance of a Ti-B propellant mixed with HTPB as the binder.

Degree

M.S.A.A.

Advisors

Son, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Aerospace engineering

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