-Ferrocenedicarboxylic Acid Salts as Burning Rate Modifiers of Double-Base Propellant

Abstract

To expand the possibilities of using solid propellants in gas generators or civil- purpose rockets, the properties of new compounds proposed as burning rate modifiers were considered. -ferrocenedicarboxylic acid and its insolubility in water copper, iron, and lead salts were synthesized. The effect of the salts on the burning rate of a double-base propellant was studied. It was shown that individually 3% of copper salt (CFDA) has the most considerable effect on the burning rate, increasing by times at the pressure interval of 1–10 MPa. It is possible to lower the n value in the burning law from 0.71 to 0.21 in a pressure range of 6–15 MPa with use of lead salt. Carbon nanotubes significantly increase the efficiency of FDA salts. An interesting phenomenon was discovered: Iron salt (IFDA) affects the burning rate only at pressure up to 2 MPa, and at higher pressures, but only in combination with a carbon nanotube. IFDA also reduces the efficiency of CFDA. An explanation of that fact was suggested.