High-Nitrogen Containing Binders for Enhanced Performance in Solid Rocket Motor Applications

This project aims to develop 3D-printable, high-nitrogen-content binder systems for solid rocket motors (SRMs). We will synthesize prepolymers with low viscosity and low glass transition temperatures (Tg) suitable for additive manufacturing. The binders will enable rapid UV and also thermal crosslinking, providing strong performance, chemical stability, and environmental durability.áA high-throughput design of experiments (DoE) approach will optimize binder formulations for up to 85% solid loading with surrogate fillers like ammonium sulfate and or glass beads. The key goal would be to make sure that flow, crosslinking, and printability remain. We will perform Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy for chemical analysis, and use Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) for thermal property assessment. Rheological testing will be used to measure viscosity and processability.áPhase I will establish the feasibility of our binder systems, setting the stage for Phase II, which will focus on scaling up production and conducting extensive tests with DoD partners to meet SRM application requirements.