The Micro-structure Observation of Quenched Surface in Double-base Propellant with Lead Salt

Abstract

Over a long period of time, in the research of catalysis burning mechanism in double-base propellant, it is well known that many kinds of metal compounds can increase the burning rate of propellant, but only lead compound can make burning rate-pressure curve show super-rate burning, plateau and mesa burning. It is also known that adding a little fine grain of copper compound and carbon black into double-base propellant with lead salt can play a role of assistant catalysis. That is to say, it can gain better catalysis efficiency than lead being used alone and increase burning rate further without destroying the plateau effect (Singh and Rao, 1988; Hewkin et al., 1971; Kubota et al., 1971 and Cai, 1987).

With the methods of high-speed photograph, SEM, XPS, etc., the flame, the feature and micro-structure of burning surface for propellant with lead were observed and analysised by many researchers. They found that there was a great amount of substance containing carbon on the burning surface and lead was also accumulated on the surface (Sharma et al., 1991; Kubota, 1989).

This work used a special way to quench the burning surface and got a clear micro-structure of quenched surface in propellant with lead, carbon black and copper via the utility of SEM and electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). It maybe improve the understanding of combustion mechanism on propellant with lead.