Novel Triazole Based Plasticizer for Solid Propellants

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) and its team member, Aerojet, propose to synthesize a novel azido triazolic plasticizer with low sensitivity, good energy and good density. It is recognized that "energy compartmentalization" is critical to reducing the response of energetic propellants to unplanned stimuli.This plasticizer is expected to be superior to current plasticizers (e.g. Butyl NENA) in that it does not contain a thermally unstable nitrato group and shock sensitive nitramine group, but does contain the favorable azidotriazole group. The proposed triazolic plasticizer will impart better propellant IM response through the reduction in propensity for fuel fire, shock or bullet/frag ignition. PSI will provide Aerojet with 25 grams of the triazolic plasticizer for testing by Small Scale Gap Test and Calorimetry. On a potential Phase II program, PSI will scale-up the synthesis and Aerojet will formulate the plasticizer in a propellant mixture and provide more thorough propellant characterization. PSI and Aerojet will show a path to the azidotriazolic plasticizer to commercial manufacture.