Method for making solid propellant compositions having a soluble oxidizer

Claim 1

A method for preparing a solid propellant composition to achieve an improved dispersion of the oxidizer which contributes to increased burning rate of said composition, said method comprising: (i) adding a solid propellant binder portion of a solid propellant composition to a mixer adapted with vacuum means and heating means, said binder portion selected from the binder formulation groups consisting of nitrocellulose binder, polyester binder, polyurethane binder, polybutadiene binder, and polysulfide binder; (ii) mixing with said solid propellant binder portion a soluble oxidizer selected from thhe reaction product formed by reacting together an equivalent amount of a first reactant selected from the group consisting of diethanol amine and triethanol amine with an equivalent amount of a second reactant selected from the group consisting of perchloric acid and nitric acid, said soluble oxidizer being dissolved in a polar solvent selected from the group consisting of ethanol, diethyl ether and acetone prior to said mixing with said solid propellant binder portion; (iii) continuing said mixing to achieve a homogenic mixture of said solid propellant binder portion and said soluble oxidizer; (iv) applying a low vacuum and mild heat to said mixer containing said homogenic mixture and continuing mixing to remove said polar solvent thereby leaving said oxidizer in a widely dispersed state; (v) releasing vacuum and adding any remaining propellant ingredients of said solid propellant composition; (vi) continuing the mixing under vacuum conditions said solid propellant composition containing all the propellant ingredients to again achieve homogenity; and, (vii) adding curing agent for said solid propellant composition and continuing mixing under vacuum to effect dispersion of curing agent prior to forming and curing said solid propellant composition.

Claim 2

A method for preparing a solid propellant composition to achieve an improved dispersion of the oxidizer which contributes to increased burning rate of said composition, said method comprising: (i) adding a solid propellant binder portion of a solid propellant composition to a mixer adapted with vacuum means and heating means, said binder portion selected from the binder formulation groups consisting of nitrocellulose binder, polyester binder, polyurethane binder, polybutadiene binder, and polysulfide binder; (ii) mixing with said solid propellant binder portion a soluble oxidizer selected from thhe reaction product formed by reacting together an equivalent amount of a first reactant selected from the group consisting of diethanol amine and triethanol amine with an equivalent amount of a second reactant selected from the group consisting of perchloric acid and nitric acid, said soluble oxidizer being dissolved in a polar solvent selected from the group consisting of ethanol, diethyl ether and acetone prior to said mixing with said solid propellant binder portion; (iii) continuing said mixing to achieve a homogenic mixture of said solid propellant binder portion and said soluble oxidizer; (iv) applying a low vacuum and mild heat to said mixer containing said homogenic mixture and continuing mixing to remove said polar solvent thereby leaving said oxidizer in a widely dispersed state; (v) releasing vacuum and adding any remaining propellant ingredients of said solid propellant composition; (vi) continuing the mixing under vacuum conditions said solid propellant composition containing all the propellant ingredients to again achieve homogenity; and, (vii) adding curing agent for said solid propellant composition and continuing mixing under vacuum to effect dispersion of curing agent prior to forming and curing said solid propellant composition.