Plateau Burning Composite Propellants Using Al and TiO2 Nanocomposites

Double-base propellants are widely used in Navy aircraft ejection seat systems, partially because of their ability to be tailored to exhibit pronounced plateau burning. Due to degradation problems inherent with double-base propellants, it would be very beneficial to develop composite propellants with this plateau burning capability. Composite propellants typically do not chemically degrade but also do not exhibit pronounced plateau burning. One approach is to use nano-scale additives as burning rate catalysts to increase the burning rate at low pressure. As pressure increases, the plateau is observed in the transition as it reaches a burning rate typical of the un-catalyzed system. Cornerstone Research Group Inc. is using a novel nanocomposite manufacturing technique to create metal or metal oxide nanoparticle-filled polymers for advanced solid propellants. The proposed in-situ nanocomposite manufacturing process is simple to implement, easily scaled, and offers higher quality nanoparticles than previously reported. This process will improve long-term storage and stability of the nanoparticles in the solid propellant binder. This technology presents the Navy with the opportunity to obtain plateau burning, nanoparticle-filled composite solid propellants for use in ejection seat systems and other applications that benefit from steady burning conditions across a range of operating pressures.