Recent progress on ferrocene-based burning rate catalysts for propellant applications

Abstract

The Burning rate of a solid propellant predominantly influences its internal ballistic behavior and it has been well known that incorporation of small quantities of certain classes of organic and inorganic substance to a propellant can drastically alter its burning rate characteristics. The inclusion of energetic materials and burning rate catalysts (BRCs) from the metallocene family (e.g., ferrocene (Fc) and 2,2-bis (ethylferrocenyl) propane also known as catocene (Cat)) has been a promising avenue for efficiently increasing the burning rate of propellants. Fc-based materials are dominantly used as burning rate catalysts in solid propellants because of their low volatility, higher compatibility with organic binders, microscopic homogeneities in distribution, broad range of burning rate adjustments, better ignitability and distinct catalytic features. However, in solid composite propellants, Fc-based polymers and derivatives show undesired properties of high migration, that is travelling out from propellant grain to surrounding insulation material on prolong storage, evaporation or sublimation loss during processing and curing as well as phase separation by crystallization in low-temperature applications, limiting their application as BRCs. This article outlines the latest synthetic advancements in the field of Fc-based BRCs, as well as highlighting their catalytic and anti-migration mechanisms.