Abstract

In the framework of a long-term research activity focused on the development of high-performance solid fuels for hybrid rockets, paraffin-based fuels were investigated and characterized using two different pure paraffinic waxes and a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer as strengthening material. The fuels were studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis / differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA). The viscosity of the melt layer, responsible for the entrainment effect, was investigated using a Couette viscosimeter. The storage modulus (G ′) was analyzed using a parallel-plate rheometer. The chemical composition of the pure paraffinic materials was studied using gas chromatography / mass spectrometry (GC-MS), while mechanical properties were investigated through uniaxial tensile tests.

Highlights

  • Research activities performed at Stanford University at the beginning of the XXI century showed that the surface regression rate of para©n-based fuels for hybrid rockets is from 3 to 4 times higher than that of conventional hybrid fuels [1€3], such as hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB)

  • If the mass fraction of the polymer is larger than 15%, the mixture is liquid at higher temperatures, aecting the regression rate behavior

  • The paper discusses the characterization results of para©n-based fuels mixed with a styrene-based thermoplastic elastomer used as strengthening material

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Summary

INTRODUCTION

Research activities performed at Stanford University at the beginning of the XXI century showed that the surface regression rate of para©n-based fuels for hybrid rockets is from 3 to 4 times higher than that of conventional hybrid fuels [1€3], such as hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB). For this reason, para©n-based materials have proved to be very attractive fuels for hybrid rocket propulsion systems. Para©n-based materials have proved to be very attractive fuels for hybrid rocket propulsion systems While melting, these fuels form a thin, hydrodynamically unstable liquid layer on the surface and the entrainment of droplets from the. Mechanical properties were investigated through uniaxial tensile tests in order to measure the in§uence of the thermoplastic polymer used

INVESTIGATED MATERIALS
THERMAL CHARACTERIZATION
VISCOELASTIC CHARACTERIZATION
Rheology
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
PROPERTIES OF TRADITIONAL HTPBAND PARAFFIN-BASED FUELS
60.5 ASTM D639-95
Findings
CONCLUDING REMARKS
Full Text
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