Prediction of Burn Rate of Magnesium-Sodium Nitrate Propellant

ABSTRACT

A method to predict burning rate of Mg-NaNO₃, propellant as a function of concentration and particle size of the ingredients with consideration of metal particle agglomeration during combustion has been developed. Experimental results indicate that compositions containing NaNO₃, of finer particle size (50μ) give higher burning rate at high fuel content than at the stoichiometric ratio, whereas compositions containing NaNO₃, of coarser particle size (250 μ) show higher burning rate at higher oxidizer content maximum at the stoichiometric ratio.

Based on the experimental observations, an attempt has been made to predict the burning rate of the propellant. Predicted values have been correlated with the experimental data. The method describes fairly well the observed effects of the concentration and particle size of the ingredients on the burning rate.

Key Words:

• Mg-NaNO₃
• propellents
• prediction of burning rate
• flame structure
• combustion
• metal agglomeration
• particle size effect