Development Novel High-Performance Solid Propellants

The primary objective of this SBIR program is to develop novel high-performance solid propellant that will out perform the currently used propellants with respect to specific impulse and sensitivity. In Phase I, CFDRC has demonstrated the feasibility of the program by synthesizing and characterizing two concept energetic salts. They were selected via quantum chemistry and thermodynamics-based modeling and analyses from 20 hypothesized compounds. The synthesized salts were characterized to have high densities, low impact sensitivities and high decomposition temperatures. In Phase II, CFDRC, along with the university and industry partners, will fine-tune these compounds to further improve the properties relevant to practical applications. A battery of tests will be run to down-select one compound. The tests will include heat of formation, compatibility, burn rate, volatility and shock sensitivity. The synthesis process for the compound will be scaled up for real-life tests. The characterization tests will then be performed in a larger scale for validation. Finally, the propellant will be test fired in a small-scale rocket motor for thrust measurements