Establishing a Second Domestic Manufacturing Source for Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene (HTPB)

Military grade HTPB is a specialized polymer and an essential solid rocket motor subcomponent that functions as a polymeric binder in most composite solid propellants. The demand for military grade HTPB is growing rapidly, and substantially higher CUI Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Source Selection Information ¢ See FAR 2.101 and FAR 3.104 quantities are needed to support ongoing and future DoD engagements. The Critical Energetic Materials Working Group has identified military grade HTPB as one of the æcritically at-riskÆ materials for the DoD due to its procurement through a sole source supply, the widespread use of HTPB in many key weapons systems, and declining quality and reliability of the product. Our proposed Phase II SBIR project addresses the critical need to improve the quality and reliability of military grade HTPB. The overall project objective is to develop an updated specification that provides consistent behavior of HTPB in energetic formulations (e.g. solid rocket propellants) based on polymer characterization inputs that can be measured by a typical energetics laboratory or production facility. Lab scale synthesis of HTPB possessing properties that adhere to the updated specification will be demonstrated using both batch- and continuous-chemical processes designed to modernize and intensify HTPB production.