Characteristics of aluminum agglomeration at burning surface in AP/AN composite propellants

Abstract

Aluminum(Al) particles are used composite propellants of a solid rocket for improving performance and combustion stability. However, aluminum particles have a tendency to agglomerate at the burning surface of composite propellants. It is well known that these agglomerated Al particles cause low combustion efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to study the agglomerate characteristics of Al particles at the burning surface of composite propellants. This study discussed about where the agglomerated diameter is determined and the effect of the burning rate to Al particle diameter distribution. The results were verified by obtaining the Al particle diameter distribution at the burning surface, in the reaction zone and the luminous zone. We clarified that the agglomerate diameter is determined in the reaction zone and it decreases with increasing of the burning rate.