Studies on EVA‐Based Wax Fuel for Launch Vehicle Applications

Abstract

AbstractA fuel for the hybrid rocket system was developed. The attempts made to improve the mechanical properties of wax by adding EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) are illustrated. It was observed that the mechanical properties obtained by adding EVA to wax were dependent on the process of curing the fuel specimen. A proprietary method of curing the fuel specimen was established. The percentage elongation obtained with 20 % EVA and 80 % of wax was around 17 %, which was much higher than the values obtained with pure wax (4 %). It was observed from the study that the higher the percentage of EVA content in wax was, the better the mechanical properties were. Regression rate studies with EVA and wax combination were carried out. It was observed that the regression rate decreased upon addition of EVA in wax. This reduction was compensated by using a bluff body at the head end. The regression rate obtained with 20 % EVA and 80 % wax even with the use of bluff body is lower than that obtained with pure wax, but is around 3.5 times the regression rate obtained with polymeric fuels.