Examination of AP/KN composite propellant thermal wave structure under steady-state burning

Abstract

A formulation of composite propellant based on modified PVC binder has been produced, such that part of the ammonium perchlorate has been replaced with potassium nitrate. This resulted in improved environment behavior at the expense of unusual changes in burning rate at different pressures, with alarmingly high-pressure exponent during burning at pressures over 2 MPa. The aim of this investigation is to examine processes in the combustion wave near the burning surface during combustion. A technique based on fine-wire thermocouples embedded in the propellant has been used to accomplish precision measurement of temperature profiles through the entire flame zone of the solid propellants. This paper reports the technique and measurement results.