Molecular-beam mass-spectrometric study of the flame structure of composite propellants based on nitramines and glycidyl azide polymer at a pressure of 1 MPa

Abstract

A study was performed of the chemical and thermal structure of flames of model composite propellants based on cyclic nitramines (RDX and HMX) and an active binder (glycidyl azide polymer) at a pressure of 1 MPa. Propellant burning rates were measured. The chemical structure of the flame was studied using molecular-beam mass spectrometry, which previously has not been employed at high pressures. Eleven species (H2, H2O, HCN, N2, CO, CH2O, NO, N2O, CO2, NO2, and nitramine vapor) were identified, and their concentration profiles, including the composition near the burning surface were measured. Two chemical-reaction zones were observed. It was shown that flames of nitramine/glycidyl azide polymer propellants are dominated by the same reactions as in flames of pure nitramines.