Fabrication and Design of Multifunctional Energetic Structures Using Gradient Architectures

Abstract

The use of gradient architectures for multifunctional energetic structures is investigated using Twin Screw Extrusion (TSE) processing technology that has been configured for fabricating graded materials. It is demonstrated that polymer composites with both radial and axial gradients can be produced using this technology. A concurrent design effort is also undertaken to determine the optimal gradient architecture for a multifunctional energetic structure using the properties of the TSE processed energetic materials in structural and ballistic performance analyses. As an example case, a cylindrical propellant grain with a single perforation and a radial gradient is analyzed. It is determined that the maximum thrust can be increased by 40% and the total impulse can be increased by 73% using a gradient architecture that varies linearly from a normalized radius of 0.82 to 1.