Effect of Metal Nanopowders on the Performance of Solid Rocket Propellants: A Review

Abstract

The effects of different types of nano-sized metal particles, such as aluminum (nAl), zirconium (nZr), titanium (nTi), and nickel (nNi), on the properties of a variety of solid rocket propellants (composite, fuel-rich, and composite modified double base (CMDB)) were analyzed and compared with those of propellants loaded with micro-sized Al (mAl) powder. Emphasis was placed on the investigation of burning rate, pressure exponent (n), and hazardous properties, which control whether a propellant can be adopted in solid rocket motors. It was found that nano-sized additives can affect the combustion behavior and increase the burning rate of propellants. Compared with the corresponding micro-sized ones, the nano-sized particles promote higher impact sensitivity and friction sensitivity. In this paper, 101 references are enclosed.

Grand challenges in aerospace propulsion

“…Solid and liquid fuels and energetics for chemical propulsion for space launch, other space applications, and munitions have been continually developed for about a century; however, there are still significant research challenges in the development of new fuels/energetics with improved properties and reduced environmental impact. These include the development of solid propellants and solid hybrid propulsion fuels utilizing additives for increase regression rate (Pang et al, 2021). Solid energetic formulations that take advantage of nanomaterial features (Van der Heijden 2018), or are additively manufactured, may allow a new paradigm in fuel design (Fleck et al, 2020).…”

Influence of Nanoparticles and Metal Vapors on the Color of Laboratory and Atmospheric Discharges

“…At present, nanopowders are widely used in various fields. Micro-and nanoparticles are used in cases of exposure to solids and liquids [1][2][3], as well as in biology [4], agriculture [5], and other fields [6]. These highly demanded areas have already become traditional; therefore, scientific teams from different countries continue to conduct intensive research aimed at studying the properties of such powders (see, for example, [7][8][9][10]).…”

Infrared Spectroscopy Studies of Aluminum Oxide and Metallic Aluminum Powders, Part I: Thermal Dehydration and Decomposition

“…Metallic aluminum powders have a wide variety of engineering applications, including catalysis [1][2][3], propulsion [4][5][6], pigments [7,8], and as foaming agents [9]. Aluminum continues to find innovative uses and is prominent in the continuing evolution of additive manufacturing [10][11][12].…”