Effect of Nitrate Ester on the Combustion Characteristics of PET/HMX -based Propellants

  • Yunlan Sun Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan
  • Baozhong Zhu Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan
  • Shufen Li University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.61.567
Keywords: Nitrate ester, Combustion characteristics, PET/HMX based propellants

Abstract

The effect of nitrate ester NG/TEGDN on the combustion characteristics of PET/HMX-based propellants has been experimentally investigated using of high-speed photography technique and scanning electron microscopy. It is indicated that the increase of NG/TEGDN content has little impact on the propellant burning rates at the same pressure. Furthermore, propellant can not be self-sustaining combustion at low pressure (£1 MPa). The increase of NG/TEGDN content does not affect the flame structure of propellant, but it plays an important role in condensed phase reaction zone. The flame structure of propellant is estimated. The thermal decomposition products in different combustion zones are also discussed. Scanning electron microscopy examination of quenched sample indicates that a liquified layer forms during combustion of these propellants. Numerous gas bubbles are present. Especially, the burning surface of propellant with low NG/TEGDN content shows signs of crystallization. The thickness of condensed phase reaction zone, by cross-section examination of propellant burning surface, has also been investigated. The results show that the thickness of condensed phase reaction zone increases with NG/TEGDN content increasing. These observations suggest that the condensed phase zone plays significant role in propellant combustion.

Defence Science Journal, 2011, 61(3), pp.206-213, DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14429/dsj.61.567

Author Biographies

Yunlan Sun, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan

Baozhong Zhu is a assistant of Anhui University of Technology. He is employed in combustion chemistry research.

Baozhong Zhu, Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan

Anhui University of Technology, Maanshan, Anhui

Shufen Li, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei
Prof. Shufen Li is a Professor in Department of Chemical Physics at University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). Her research area is combustion chemistry. She has served as the director of laboratory of combustion chemistry of USTC. She is an adjunct professor of the National Key Laboratory and is on its academia committee. She is the editors of “Chinese Journal of Explosives & propellant”, “Journal of Solid Pocket Technology” and “Energetic Materials”. She has published more than 150 research papers in national/international journals.
Published
2011-04-28
How to Cite
Sun, Y., Zhu, B., & Li, S. (2011). Effect of Nitrate Ester on the Combustion Characteristics of PET/HMX -based Propellants. Defence Science Journal, 61(3), 206-213. https://doi.org/10.14429/dsj.61.567
Issue
Vol 61 No 3
Section
Research Papers
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