Preparation and Characterization of Metalized JP-10 Gel Propellants with Excellent Thixotropic Performance

Abstract

The preparation and characterization of a series of D‐gluconic acetal supramolecular organic gelators (Gn) which can form gel with high‐energy density hydrocarbon fuel JP‐10 are reported. Rheological measurements show G8 gel exhibits strong mechanical strength at a concentration of 2 wt %, while G18 gel has a remarkable yield stress. What's more, JP‐10 gels show thixotropy with high viscosity, especially for the G8‐based gel, which has an instantaneous recovery ratio. The CGC (critical gelator concentration) of G8 is less than 0.1 wt %, known as a super gelator. More interestingly, G18 can gel JP‐10 at room temperature, which is the first example of room temperature gel propellant formed by a supramolecular gelator. Nano accelerants (Al, B) are dispersed into the gel propellant system, which can be stable for months. The presence of 50 nm Al powder in G8‐based gel can significantly increase its mechanical strength, yield stress and viscosity, as well as thixotropy.

Preparation and performance characterization of temperature‐sensitive JP‐3 kerosene gel propellant

“…This resulted in the appearance of particles with varying sizes. Chen et al [30] discovered that metal powders could be stably dispersed in the gel system, leading to significant improvements in mechanical strength, yield stress, viscosity, and enhanced thixotropy. These studies highlight the potential for incorporating energy-containing additives, particularly metals, into gel propellants.…”

Effect of Shear History on Solid–Liquid Transition of Particulate Gel Fuels

“…Gel fuels filled with composite particles possess the enhanced rheo-physical property and better performance of combustion and explosion [1][2][3], such as higher combustion rates [4,5] and catalytic decomposition [6,7]. These benefits allow gel fuels to be used for a wider range of advanced propulsion systems.…”

Combined Spectroscopic and Computational Investigation on the Oxidation of exo-Tetrahydrodicyclopentadiene (JP-10; C10H16) Doped with Titanium–Aluminum–Boron Reactive Metal Nanopowder

“…The development of the next generation of air-breathing propulsion systems requires a fuel with higher energy per volume and higher molecular weight than that of traditional hydrocarbon fuel. This necessitates the development of the next generation of high-energy-density fuels and high-energy-density fuel additives, − ultimately enhancing the performance and range of air-breathing propulsion systems. High-energy-density fuel additives based on reactive metal nanopowders (RMNPs) hold promise in air-breathing engine applications.…”