Novel Nanoscale Ingredients as Solid Propellant Burn Rate Modifiers

Physical Sciences Incorporated (PSI) and Aerojet propose to synthesize, characterize, and formulate new nanoscale ingredients as burn rate modifiers in solid rocket propellants. The compounds will be shown to be sufficiently insensitive to ESD, friction, and impact to ensure their safe handling, storage, and use. Compatibility testing of the synthesized burn rate modifiers and plasticizers will be performed to guide the proper selection of formulations. Various solid rocket propellant formulations will be developed that contain the innovative burn rate modifiers and standard burn rate modifiers at low mass loadings. Strand burn rates will be obtained over several thousands of psi pressure. A survey of currently used metal-based burn rate modifiers, their formulations, and corresponding systems will also be performed. The applicability of the innovative nanoscale burn rate modifiers to these systems and their advantage over standard burn rate modifiers will be evaluated.