Thermal decomposition of AP/HTPB propellants in presence of Zn nanoalloys

Abstract

Composite solid propellants were prepared with and without nanoalloys (Zn–Cu, Zn–Ni, Zn–Fe), where nanoalloys are used as catalyst. Catalytic properties of these nanomaterials measured on ammonium perchlorate/hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene propellant by thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis. Both experimental results show enhancement in the thermal decomposition of propellants in presence of nanoalloys. In differential thermal analysis method, experiments had done at three heating rates, β1 = 5°, β2 = 10°, β3 = 15° per minute. Calculation of activation energy of high temperature decomposition step was done by using following Kissinger equation. Zn–Cu was found to be the best.