Novel Furazan Oxidizer for Solid Propellants

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI), and its team member Aerojet, propose to synthesize and evaluate a novel organic furazan based oxidizer for solid rocket propellants. Models of the furazans predict a class of oxidizers with high performance (high energy, high oxygen balance, high density, low sensitivity) and clean combustion (chlorine free). The proposed team has developed a synthetic scheme to produce the oxidizer molecule in three synthetic steps. PSI will provide Aerojet with 25 grams of the furazan oxidizer for testing of its energetic, sensitivity and thermal properties. On a potential Phase II program, PSI will scale up the oxidizer synthesis and Aerojet will formulate the oxidizer in a propellant mixture and provide enhanced characterization. Also during a Phase II effort PSI and Aerojet will investigate similar chemistries within this furazan class.