An Analytical Model of Solid Propellant Combustion in an Acceleration Field

Abstract

Abstract-An analytical investigation of an acceleration-induced burning rate increase of solid propellants is presented. The analytical model includes the pit formation on an accelerated combustion surface, the growth of agglomerated globules, the heat feedback by an agglomerated globule and the growth of pits. A set of equations expressing these processes is integrated with respect to burning time in order to quantitatively estimate the acceleration sensitivity of burning rate. Analytical results are compared to the experimental results with regards to aluminized and non-aluminized composite propellants. The proposed model adequately explains the observed effects of acceleration, burning pressure, static burning rate, aluminum content and transient phenomenon of burning rate augmentation. And it clarifies the relationship in the roles of aluminum particles and ammonium per-chlorate (AP) particles in this phenomenon. The results on post-fire residues are also discussed in light of the proposed model.