New Energetic Solid Propellant Ingredients

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) and the University of Idaho Chemistry Department (U. Id.) propose to synthesize and characterize new solid propellant ingredients. The materials will contain very high nitrogen content within the chemical structure, thereby ensuring a large energy release. Energy densities from these ionic salt propellant ingredients will be higher than those obtained from purely covalent compounds. Thermo-chemical analysis, modeling, and computer simulations will be performed to predict gas products, adiabatic flame temperatures, and specific impulses due to thermal decomposition/combustion. The decomposition/combustion temperatures, heats of formation, heats of combustion, and pressure responses will also be obtained experimentally in nitrogen, air, and oxygen gas environments. Impact and friction tests will be performed at New Mexico Tech. (EMRTC). In the Phase II program new propellant ingredients will be identified, synthesized, characterized, and incorporated within formulations. The impact and friction sensitivities will be reduced using recent advances in nanotechnology.