Nonmetallized solid propellant in high acceleration environments

Abstract

Nonmetallized double base propellant and ammonium perchlorate/ binder sandwich combustion were studied in standard and high acceleration environments. Experimental techniques used were high speed motion pictures, two-color schlieren and pressure -time trace determination of burning rates. The double base propellant was studied at pressures to 1250 psia and accelerations to + 1000 g's. Two binder systems were used in the AP/binder sandwiches. Tests were conducted with two binder thicknesses at 400 psia and with acceleration levels of zero and 100 g's. It was found for double base propellant that the temperature increased continuously from the surface to the visible flame and that acceleration induced burning rate augmentation occurred. Acceleration apparently modified the surface or subsurface combustion zones. AP/binder sandwich combustion was found to be acceleration sensitive with binder flow being the most plausible mechanism.