Liants Polyethers et Polyesters dans les Propergols Composites (Polyether and Polyester Binders in Composite Propellants),

摘要

A hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene prepolymer (R45M) was crosslinked with an epoxide to yield an elastomeric material known as a polyether or with a mixture of an anhydride and an epoxide to form a polyester material. Polyether and polyester propellants containing up to 88% of solid ammonium perchlorate (AP) in the powder form and aluminum powder were prepared from the above two materials (binders). The physical and mechanical properties of these propellants depended on the ratio and on the order of addition of ingredients, the curing temperature and the presence of surface-active agents. Polyester propellants were made either by using R45M prereacted with anhydrides or by mixing simultaneously all ingredients with the solids. Polyester propellants made by the former procedure had superior properties to those made by the latter. Polyether propellants had slightly lower mechanical and physical properties than those of polyesters. The effectiveness of the several surface-active additives in these highly filled composite propellants were evaluated by mechanical spectroscopy. Some additives were found to improve the mechanical properties of polyester propellants, but were detrimental to the catalytic activity of AP in polyether propellants. (Author)