Combustion properties of a low-vulnerability propellant: an experimental and theoretical study using laser ignition

ABSTRACT

Ignition and combustion characteristics of a low-vulnerability propellant based on RDX are studied experimentally. Ignition is obtained using a laser diode. Experiments are performed in a cylindrical closed-volume reactor for different initial pressures and initial propellant masses under nitrogen and argon surrounding atmospheres. Ignition delays, maximal overpressures, and propagation rates are obtained for different initial pressures and laser powers. Thermodynamic predictions of overpressures are also compared with experimental ones. Finally, ignition probabilities for different laser powers and gaseous atmospheres are investigated using a revised Langlie method.

KEYWORDS:

• Ignition delay
• laser ignition
• low vulnerability
• minimum ignition energy
• propellant combustion

Acknowledgments

The authors thank the “Conseil Régional du Centre-Val de Loire”, in France, which has financially supported this work (LILOVEM project). The authors also thank Dominique Courilleau for his help to design and build the experimental setup. Authors are also thankful to Airbus Safran Launchers for the supply of the propellants.