Hydrogenated hydroxy-terminated polyisoprene as a fuel binder for composite solid propellants

Abstract

The synthesis and application of hydrogenated hydroxy-terminated polyisoprene (HHTPI) to a fuel binder of composite solid propellants were attempted. An HHTPI prepolymer was synthesized through the hydrogenation for the hydroxy-terminated polyisoprene (HTPI) in the presence of nickel and zirconium catalysts over kieselguhr in 2.0 MPa hydrogen and at 443 K-453 K for 24 h. A prepolymer of a number-averaged molecular weight 2500-3800, provided a viscosity level required for the use of a fuel binder from which solid propellant can be possibly made by means of direct casting method. Thermal stability and aging characteristics of HHTPI elastomer against environmental attacks are superior to those of HTPB. Some plasticizers and bonding agents can bring about the acceptable mechanical properties to the propellant grains mainly composed of HHTPI, ammonium perchlorate and aluminium powder. The linear burning rates of HHTPI-based propellants are at the same level with that of HTPB-based propellants. However, the composition that gives the maximum performance with HHTPI-based propellants, shifts to 1-2 wt% fuel-rich side from the most adequate fuel content 12 wt% in HTPB/AP/A1. The HHPTI propellants indicated the similar burning rate as HTPB-based propellants in the linear burning rates in spite of the comparatively poor ignitability. Nevertheless, the static tests of 100 mm dia. sounding rocket motors are successfully performed by an ignition operation at the pressurized condition. The ballistic performances are not inferior to those of the HTPB-based propellants.