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Science and Technology of Energetic Materials

Vol.74, No.6 (2013)

Research paper

Agglomerate and ignition characteristics of aluminum particles in AN composite propellants
Kenichi Takahashi, Keita Nakadai, Sho Oide, Mitsuaki Tanabe, Takuo Kuwahara, and Toru Shimada
p.144-152

Abstract

Ammonium nitrate (AN) composite propellants are environmentally friendly, chlorine-free propellants. To improve the burning rate of composite propellant, aluminum particles are added as an extra energy ingredient for many composite propellants. However, the effects of agglomerate and ignition of aluminum particles on the temperature profile in the reaction zone near the burning surface and on the burning rate have not been studied well for aluminized AN composite propellants. The temperature profile in the reaction zone affects the burning rate. Therefore, it is important to investigate the effects of agglomerate and ignition of aluminum particles on the temperature profile. This study specifically addressed the effects of agglomerate and ignition of aluminum particles on the temperature profile in the reaction zone of aluminized AN composite propellant. Aluminum particles agglomerated on the burning surface. Then they were ignited near the burning surface. When agglomerates of aluminum particles ignited and burned near the burning surface, the temperature profile in the reaction zone was affected, which changed the burning rate.

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Keywords

agglomerate, aluminum, ammonium nitrate, ignition, temperature profile

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