The Influence of Potassium Salts Phase Stabilizers and Binder Matrix on the Properties of Novel Composite Rocket Propellants Based on Ammonium Nitrate

Abstract

The environmental impact and availability of ingredients are vital for the new generation of rocket propellants. In this context, several novel composite propellants were prepared based on the “greener” oxidizer phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate (PSAN), a micronized aluminum–magnesium alloy fuel, iron oxide powder burn rate modifier, triethylene glycol dinitrate (TEGDN) energetic plasticizer and a polyurethane (PU) binder. The novelty of this study is brought by the innovative procedure of synthesizing and combining the constituents of these heterogeneous compositions to obtain high-performance “eco-friendly” rocket propellants. The polymorphism shortcomings brought by ammonium nitrate in these energetic formulations have been solved by its co-crystallization with potassium salts (potassium nitrate, potassium chromate, potassium dichromate, potassium sulphate, potassium chlorate and potassium perchlorate). Polyester–polyol blends, resulting from recycled post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) glycolysis, were utilized for the synthesis of the polyurethane binder, especially designed for this type of application. To adjust the energetic output and tailor the mechanical properties of the propellant, the energetic plasticizer TEGDN was also involved. The performance and safety characteristics of the novel composites were evaluated through various analytical techniques (TGA, DTA, XRD) and specific tests (rate of combustion, heat of combustion, specific volume, chemical stability, sensitivity to thermal, impact and friction stimuli), according to NATO standards, providing promising preliminary results for further ballistics investigations.

“Green” PBX Formulations Based on High Explosives (RDX and HMX) and Water-Soluble pH-Sensitive Polymeric Binders

“…This is a good sign of the chemical compatibility between the explosive filler and the binder. The energetic materials with a specific volume greater than 2 cm 3 /g are considered to have reduced chemical stability [ 39 ]; therefore, the new composite HMX-AAc/EtAc can be regarded as chemically stable since the specific volume obtained was 0.352 cm 3 /g.…”

The Effect of CuO on the Thermal Behavior and Combustion Features of Pyrotechnic Compositions with AN/MgAl

“…Therefore, oxidizers based on ammonium nitrate (AN) have been widely studied in recent years. Despite its effective use in civil and military equipment, AN remains the object of numerous studies in creating new pyrotechnics, explosives, and propellants [4][5][6][7][8][9]. That is explained by the simplicity of the technology for its production, safety in handling, and the possibility of various types of technological processing.…”

Comparative study of the thermal decomposition of ammonium nitrate in the presence of nanocrystalline copper ferrite

“…[9][10][11] Owing to ammonium nitrate's chlorine-free combustion, low cost, and gas generation ability, it is used as a green oxidizer in various high-energetic applications. 12,13 Boukeciat et al 14 investigated double base propellants, which consisted of 60% ammonium nitrate, 10% nitrocellulose, and 30% diethylene glycol dinitrate, to assess their thermal performance potential. The inclusion of ammonium nitrate not only lowered the activation energy of the propellant but also elevated the heat content during decomposition.…”