This paper discusses the enhancement in the ballistic performance of double base rocket propellants (DBRPs) by the addition of different copper salts vs lead salts as burning rate modifiers through stable combustion and the formation of a plateau region in the low pressure region. Compositions based on DBRPs containing different percentages of lead stearate and different types of copper salts were prepared and studied. For comparison, a conventional DBRP was studied. The ignition temperature and heat of combustion were determined experimentally, and the mechanical properties were measured and evaluated. The performance in terms of ballistic characteristics (burning rate, operating pressure) were measured at different throat diameters (8, 8.5, 9, 9.5 mm) and at different temperatures (−20 and 50 °C). Specific impulses were calculated using the ICT thermodynamic code. The experimental data from the proportional study indicate that the compositions containing the studied burning rate modifiers are superior to the original DBRP in respect of ballistic performance and mechanical properties.

In this work, different percentages of Copper oxide have been added to double base rocket propellant (DBRP) as burning rate modifier. A conventional DBRP has been prepared and studied for comparison. The mechanical properties at different temperatures were studied. The heat of combustion and ignition temperature of the samples were measured. The performance represented by the operating pressure and the burning rate were evaluated at 8mm throat diameters. The thermal behavior of the traditional DBRP in comparison with a selected composition containing copper oxide was discussed. It was concluded that the addition of copper oxide in DBRP has positive effect on the mechanical properties of the traditional DBRP while slight increase in the performance properties was observed.