Multifunctional Bonding Agent for High Energy Propellants

Bonding agents (BAs) are critical components of solid propellants that facilitate processing by improving interfacial interaction between the surfaces of oxidizer grains and the binder resin. The BA cures with the binder to produce void-free solid propellants that exhibit desirable storage and burning properties. New, multifunctional high energy propellants (MHEPs) contain oxidizer components that are not compatible with current BAs or with Polyether PUR binders. Infoscitex proposes to develop a new, soluble Multifunctional Bonding Agent (MBA) that interacts strongly with each type of propellant grain; including, AP, AN, AN, NE, GAP and ADN. The MBA migrates to the grain surface where it hydrogen-bonds to form a thin, tenacious surface layer that reacts with PE-PUR binder resins during cure. The MBA will enable production of void-free MHEP propellants that exhibit superior strength, toughness, stability and burning characteristics. In Phase I, the MBA will be synthesized and processed with MHEP oxidizers to produced the new propellant. Tensile strength and elongation will be measured to demonstrate improved interfacial interaction with MHEP oxidizers and chemical reaction with binder resins. In Phase II, the MBA will be refined, scaled-up and formulated into prototype MHEPs that exhibit superior stability, performance and reliability.