BURN RATE STUDEES OF GAS GENERATOR PROPELLANTS CONTAINING AP/RDX

This paper reports burn rate results of AP/RDX-based compositions with Epoxy / Epoxy-GAP binder Bimodal AP composition with 40% Epoxy binder gave burn rates of 2.1−2.4 mm/s in the pressure range of 1−8.8 MPa and appeared to be suitable for the primary combustor in ramjet applications. Incorporation of 10−30% GAP at the cost of epoxy binder resulted in a 30−250% increase in bum rates, and replacement of coarse AP by fine AP (4 and 10u) led to a 1.5−5 -fold increase in bum rates. Addition of 2 parts of copper chromite / ferric oxide as a catalyst resulted in a moderate increase in burn rates, while incorporation of butyl ferrocene led to a 1.3−3 -fold increase in bum rates. Ballistically modified AP/Epoxy/GAP compositions with bum rates ranging from 5−15 mm/s at 1 MPa to 15−30 mm/s at 8.8 MPa and moderate flame temperatures have potential for gas generator application. The effect of replacement of AP by RDX on bum rates was also studied during this work.