Development of novel urea burning rate suppressants in AP/HTPE propellants with superior efficiency and desirable mechanical performance

ABSTRACT

The liquid burning rate suppressants (BRSs) at room temperature were first prepared by combining urea with adsorption group from AP-bonding agents. The novel urea BRSs were applied in triethylene glycol dinitrate (TEDGN) plasticized hydroxyl-terminated polyether (HTPE) propellants. The results show that only 0.5% of them can reduce the burning rate and pressure index of the propellants at the same time. Owing to the adsorption group from AP bonding agents, the novel urea BRSs can adsorb onto the surface of AP during mixing by themselves, which are more suitable for industrial application than nano-sized or encapsulated BRSs. In addition, the desirable mechanical performance can be obtained and the BRSs have little influence on the hazardous properties of propellants.

KEYWORDS:

• AP/HTPE propellant
• burning rate suppressant
• urea
• combustion characteristics
• mechanical properties

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).