Solid propellants containing polyether or polyester binders

Abstract

Abstract Useful hydroxyl-terminated polyolefin prepolymers, e.g. polybutadiene prepolymers, are provided which may be cross-linked with an epoxide to yield a polyether elastomeric material or with a mixture of an anhydride and an epoxide to form a polyester material. One such prepolymer is a carboxyl-terminated polyolefin, e.g. polybutadiene prepared by reacting a hydroxy-terminated polyolefin, e.g. polybutadiene with solid or liquid anhydrides. Polyether and polyester propellants containing up to about 88% of solid ammonium perchlorate in the powder form and aluminum powder may be prepared from the above two materials (binders). The physical and mechanical properties from these propellants depend on the ratios and on the order of addition of each ingredient, the curing temperature and the presence of surface-active agents. Polyester propellants may be made either by using the hydroxy-terminated polyolefin, e.g. polybutadiene prereacted with anhydrides or by mixing simultaneously all ingredients with the solids. Polyester propellants made by the former procedure have superior properties to those made from the latter. Polyether propellants have slightly lower mechanical and physical properties than those of polyesters. These properties are strongly dependent on the catalytic activity of ammonium perchlorate.

Inventors

• 👤 Meude Tremblay
• 👤 Guy Perrault
• 👤 Gonzague Duchesne

Bibliographic Details