Title

Assessing the Mixedness of Composite Solid Rocket Propellants Using Fluorescent Particles

Authors

Authors

T. E. Sammet; M. A. Stephens; E. L. Petersen;B. A. Corbin

Comments

Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

Abbreviated Journal Title

J. Propul. Power

Keywords

ADDITIVES; Engineering, Aerospace

Abstract

A new diagnostic technique was developed for assessing the effectiveness of mixing techniques of solid composite propellants using nanoparticle additives. The diagnostic uses nanosized quantum dots in suspension or micron-sized powders that are mixed into the propellant in place of the additives. Upon exposure to an ultraviolet light source, the particles fluoresce, hence serving as tracers to assess the uniformity of the mixture and therefore the effectiveness of the mixing procedure. Collection of the image using a digital camera provides data on intensity variations in the fluorescent signal, allowing for quantitative assessment of uniformity and mixedness. Various mixtures involving hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene binder and ammonium perchlorate oxidizer were manufactured at various levels of mixing to test the diagnostic. In addition to confirming the uniformity of the nanosized particles using the target mixing procedure, variations in mixing quality and comparisons between mechanically and hand-mixed propellants showed distinct differences correlating to the mixedness of each propellant that was supported with data from burning rate studies. The present diagnostic can therefore also be used to assess the mixedness of propellants that do not contain nanoparticle additives. Other potential applications include curing agent dispersion assessment and linking homogeneity to mixedness and mechanical properties.

Journal Title

Journal of Propulsion and Power

Volume

26

Issue/Number

5

Publication Date

1-1-2010

Document Type

Article; Proceedings Paper

Language

English

First Page

987

Last Page

992

WOS Identifier

WOS:000282793500008

ISSN

0748-4658

Share

COinS