Study of the effect of DC high-voltage electric fields on the regression rate of PMMA

Abstract

Due to great demands on solid rocket motors and solid ramjets for thrust control, a study of the effect of high-voltage electric fields on the regression rate of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) has been undertaken. The flame shape was recorded by a CMOS camera. The regression rate of PMMA was measured. A numerical model of fluid-solid coupling, which is based on experiment and considers physico-chemical phenomena associated with the flame-field interaction process, has been developed to explain experimental observations. In order to reduce the computational workload, the radiation loss, including the soot radiation is not considered in the numerical simulation. The mechanism of the effect of electric fields on the regression rate of PMMA is analysed. The numerical simulation shows that the change of the regression rate of a PMMA tip under the action of electric fields is consistent with experimental results. Studies show that electric fields can change the regression rate of PMMA, increasing it by about 38%. The regression rate on the burning surface is increased when subjected to positive electric fields. Under a negative electric field, part of the burning surface is subjected to an increased regression rate, and some thereof is subjected to a decreased regression rate. The effect of electric fields on the regression rate of PMMA is mainly due to the interaction of buoyancy and the electric field induced volumetric body forces.