HEAT-EXPANDABLE BEADS AS BURNING RATE ACCELERATORS

Abstract

Mechanical enhancement of the burning rate of solid propellants is achieved by the incorporation of limited percentages of heat-expandable beads into the solid propellant matrix. When the flame front reaches an individual bead, the bead which contains an expanding or blowing agent (e.g., pentane, 4,4'-oxybis(benzenesulfonyl hydrazide) (Celogen OT), etc., expands to several times its volume and ruptures. Bead expansion or rupture causes a disruption of the propellant's surface, and the flame can penetrate into the propellant. This penetration results in a major increase in burning rate.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Inventor

• 1DAVID C. SAYLES

Sensitive facility: Huntsville AL (NASA/Army)