SOLID-PHASE REACTIONS OF A DOUBLE-BASE PROPELLANT

An experimental technique is described to investigate the reactions taking place in the surface reaction zone of propellants ignited by radiation from an arc-image furnace. The complete apparatus consists of a low-pressure strand burner coupled to a fast-scan mass spectrometer and ancillary gas system. A temperature-time profile is recorded simultaneously. The thermal decomposition of a typical double-base propellant, with and without a burning rate catalyst, has been investigated. Evidence has been found which suggests that nitrogen trioxide, rather than nitrogen dioxide, is the primary oxide of nitrogen evolved. Lead stearate is active as a burning rate catalyst at low pressures, about 10 torr, and appears to accelerate oxidation-reduction reactions in the surface reaction zone. © 1968 American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc., All rights reserved.