Propellant Binder Research Articles

Dynamic shearing resistance of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB)

Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) is a widely used polymeric binder in polymer-bonded explosives (PBXs) and solid rocket propellants. Even though used in small fractions, the elastomeric binder absorbs much of the impact energy and therefore requires careful modeling of its mechanical behavior to accurately simulate the response of PBXs when they are subjected to large strains and strain rates. While the normal response of HTPB has been characterized under uniaxial stress and uniaxial strain loading, shear strength measurements under large pressures and large shear strain rates have not been made so far. Such measurements are critical for modeling localization and failure in PBXs and accurate prediction hotspot formation. In this study, pressure-shear plate impact (PSPI) experiments have been used to measure the shearing resistance of HTPB at different pressures. The shearing resistance of HTPB is found to be strongly pressure dependent. A quasi-linear viscoelastic model with pressure-dependent shear wave speeds and shearing resistance is used to describe the experimentally observed dynamic response of HTPB. The model consists of an instantaneous elastic response and viscoelastic relaxation of the elastic response.

Enthalpy of Formation of p(BAMO)‐b‐GAP and Energetic Characteristics of Solid Propellants Based on the Copolymer

AbstractThe block copolymer of 3,3’‐bis(azidomethy) oxetane and glycidyl azide polymer (p(BAMO)‐b‐GAP) is an ideal energetic binder for solid propellants. In this work, the enthalpy of formation of p(BAMO)‐b‐GAP was first investigated by the heat of combustion experimental method and group additivity method. Meanwhile, the energetic characteristics of solid propellants based on the copolymer were systematically calculated. The results proved that the ΔfH of p(BAMO)‐b‐GAP could be estimated accurately by two methods and the positive ΔfH values were obtained. Dual‐oxidant formulas were designed in which AP was replaced gradually by some chlorine‐free high‐energy materials. The calculation results showed when AP was gradually replaced by RDX or HMX, the energy level of propellants based on p(BAMO)‐b‐GAP was improved first but then decreased with AP content further decreased, indicating there was an optimum ratio between AP and its alternative. However, when AP was replaced by CL‐20 or ADN, the values of Isp were improved steadily. When less than 40 % AP was replaced, the contribution to the energy level of propellant by RDX or HMX was even more than that by CL‐20.

Influences of Bu‐NENA and BDNPA/F Plasticizers on the Properties of Binder for High‐Energy NEPE Propellants

AbstractDesensitized energetic plasticizer (DEP) plays a crucial role in the properties of the binder, and thus can further influence the performances of desensitive Nitrate Ester Plasticized Polyether (NEPE) propellants, which represents the development direction of the next generation solid propellant composites. However, at present, a study on influencing mechanisms for curing properties of propellant binders at the atomic and molecular level was rarely reported. In the current study, based on the curing kinetics and mechanical properties of PET/N‐100 binder, the influencing mechanism of the DEPs, BDNPA/F, and Bu‐NENA, on the binder was determined by the Gaussian quantum chemical calculation and MD simulation at the chemical bond and polymer chain levels, as well as the characterizations of the curing network structure, glass transition temperature, and microphase separation of the binder system. The consistent results at both micro and macro levels offer important theoretical guidance for studying the structure‐mechanism‐performance relationship of propellant binder, as well as for exploring the strategies that can reveal the curing mechanism of the binder system in depth.

Click Chemistry Reactions between Hydroxyl‐Terminated or Alkynyl‐Terminated Polybutadiene and Benzyl Azide

AbstractAlkynyl‐terminated polybutadiene (ATPB) may be as a new type of propellant binder through click chemistry reaction between alkynyl and azide group. In this paper, The reactions between ATPB and hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) with benzyl azide, respecfively, were tracked by 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR, FTIR, and Elemental analysis measurements. The results show that the azide group and C=C of HTPB undergo 1,3‐dipolar cycloaddition reaction to form a 1,2,3‐triazoline ring without the catalyst. Both terminal C≡C and middle C=C bonds of ATPB can react with azide groups, and the reactivity of the C≡C bond is significantly higher than that of the C=C bonds. With the copper (I) catalyst, the reaction between the azide group and the C=C bonds of HTPB is significantly weakened, that is the copper (I) can not catalyze the reaction between C=C and ‐N3. these results are very meaningful for the design of the ATPB and azide system as the binder of solid propellant.

BAMO-THF copolymer-based energetic thermoplastic polyurethanes with a decent bonding property

Despite the high enthalpy of formation of poly(3,3-bis(azidomethyl)oxetane) (PBAMO), it is not readily applicable as a polymeric binder for propellants owing to its low chain flexibility and poor mechanical properties. The aim of this study was to improve the chain flexibility and mechanical properties of PBAMO binders by copolymerizing BAMO with tetrahydrofuran (THF) to produce a BAMO-THF copolyether (PBT). We report the preparation of energetic thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (ETPUEs) by using PBT (soft segment), dicyclohexylmethylmethane-4,4′-diisocyanate (HMDI) (curing agent), a mixture of diols: diethyl bis(hydroxymethyl)malonate (DBM) (chain extender), 2-cyanoethyl-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amine (CBA) (chain extender), and 1,4-butanediol (BDO) (chain extender). By systematically varying the content of the components, a series of ETPUEs was prepared. The results showed that with a fixed hard segment content, ETPUEs with CBA/BDO as chain extenders showed a stronger bonding property, lower glass transition temperature; improved mechanical properties (σm ​= ​7.60 ​MPa, εb ​= ​570.0%), and a higher enthalpy of formation (4015 ​kJ⋅mol−1). Moreover, when the ratio between CBA and BDO was 1:1, the binding strength between the binders and filler RDX was optimized, yielding a simulated propellant with decent mechanical properties (σm ​= ​5.92 ​MPa, εb ​= ​16.5%).

Otrzymywanie HTPB metodą półperiodyczną

Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene is widely used in industry for both civil and military applications. In munitions, HTPB is mostly used as a binder for heterogenic rocket propellants and as a component of plastic bonded explosives, as well as a phlegmatizer in explosives sensitive to friction and impact. The wide range of HTPB applications results from the good mechanical properties of HTPB-based polyurethanes, in particular at temperatures down to –40 °C. A synthesis method for HTPB, different from the commonly used semi-batch and continuous methods, is presented. The effect of parameters including reaction temperature, 1,3-butadiene pressure and hydrogen peroxide concentration on the properties of the obtained polymer is determined. The synthesis conditions enabling new HTPB species to be obtained, which meet the requirements for binders used in solid rocket propellants, are specified.

Poly(methoxy-NNO-azoxyethene), a new polymer for active binders in solid composite propellants

Radical polymerization of unsaturated alkoxy-NNO-azoxy compounds was explored. Polymethoxy-NNO-azoxyethene, the first energetic polymer based on alkoxy-NNO-azoxy compounds, was obtained, and its major characteristics were studied. Thermodynamic calculations show that poly(methoxy-NNO-azoxyethene) may be of interest as a polymer component of active binders for solid composite rocket propellants.

Assessment of antioxidant resistance to thermal - oxidative degradation of stabilized polybutadiene binder

polybutadiene is the most common polymeric binder for composite solid propellants. This polymer suffers from oxidative degradation reactions on storing with deterioration in mechanical properties. Certain anti-oxidant materials can retard such reaction offering enhanced aging characteristics. In this study, two different primary antioxidants including phenol-based (AO2246) and amine-based (Flexzone 6H) were employed to stabilize polybutadiene polymer. Oxidation induction time (OIT) was evaluated using isothermal DSC. High OIT value means high resistance to oxidative degradation. The impact of anti-oxidant on mechanical properties was evaluated using shore A. Flexzone 6H significantly improved binder oxidative stability with an increase in OIT value by 20 folds with significant decrease in oxidation enthalpy. Flexzone 6H can offer enhanced resistance toward oxidative reactions; as it can act as efficient H atom donor to break down chain degradation reaction. Additionally, the three stabilized aromatic rings can capture free radicals. AO2246 enhanced the binder mechanical characteristics during aging at 80 0C using Shore A test. In the meantime, AO2246 could enhance the mechanical properties due to its integration into the polymeric matrix due to –OH functional groups. The two anti-oxidants demonstrated controversy effects. Whereas Flexzone 6H offered enhanced resistance to oxidative degradation; AO2246 offered enhanced mechanical properties.

Investigation of a Low-Toxicity Energetic Binder for a Solid Propellant: Curing, Microstructures, and Performance.

In this work, a promising propellant binder using the energetic branched glycidyl azide polymer (B-GAP) as a matrix and the low-toxic dimer acid diisocyanate (DDI) as a curing agent was prepared, under the catalysis of dibutyl tin dilaurate. The curing kinetics considering the thermal diffusion effect and the reaction endpoint of B-GAP/DDI were investigated by the thermal analysis method and a newly proposed variance method, respectively. Moreover, the buildup of microstructures during curing and the tensile and dynamic mechanical performance of this binder were respectively explored. Results show that there exists an obvious induction period in the beginning of the curing reaction, and the autocatalytic model shows that thermal diffusion can effectively describe the curing process. Shore A hardness of sample stabilizes around 40.78 in the end of curing, and the reaction endpoint of B-GAP/DDI is in the time range of 156–168 h. There exist cross-linking, suspension, and free chains during the whole curing process, and the cross-linking density of the binder reaches approximately 4.0 × 10–4 mol·cm–3 when the curing completes. Hydrogen bonding (H-bond) is found to be a strong binder: 53.3% of the carbonyls participates in forming the H-bond. Furthermore, this binder has better mechanical performance and lower glass-transition temperature than the GAP/N100 binder.

Compatibility of energetic plasticizers with the triblock copolymer of polypropylene glycol-glycidyl azide polymer-polypropylene glycol (PPG-GAP-PPG)

Abstract Glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) is well known as an energetic prepolymer, but its application as a binder in propellants is limited due to its relatively high glass transition temperature and relatively poor mechanical properties. Copolymerization of GAP with polypropylene glycol (PPG) has been shown to improve GAPs properties because of the good thermal and mechanical properties of PPG. In this research we synthesized triblock copolymer of PPG-GAP-PPG and the compatibilities of this copolymer were investigated with energetic plasticizers (20% w/w) n-butyl nitroxyethylnitramine (BuNENA), trimethylolethane trinitrate (TMETN), and butanetriol trinitrate (BTTN) by solubility parameter, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), rheological analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and vacuum stability test (VST). The DSC results showed that BuNENA had better compatibility with the triblock copolymer in comparison to TMETN and BTTN. It reduced the T g of PPG-GAP-PPG from −58 to −63 °C. The rheological analysis was in good agreement with the DSC results obtained for the compatibility of the plasticizers. In the case of the addition of 20% w/w BuNENA, the viscosity of copolymer/plasticizer decreased from 550 to 128 mPa s, indicating appropriate compatibility of plasticizer with the copolymer. SEM images showed a better distribution of BuNENA in the copolymer matrix.

Inside Cover: Development and Characterization of a Photopolymeric Binder for Additively Manufactured Composite Solid Propellant Using Vibration Assisted Printing (Prop., Explos., Pyrotech. 6/2020)

Inside Cover: Development and Characterization of a Photopolymeric Binder for Additively Manufactured Composite Solid Propellant Using Vibration Assisted Printing (Prop., Explos., Pyrotech. 6/2020)

Curing Behaviors of Alkynyl-Terminated Copolyether with Glycidyl Azide Polymer in Energetic Plasticizers.

Alkynyl-terminated polyethylene oxide−tetrahydrofuran (ATPET) and glycidyl azide polymer (GAP) could be linked through click-chemistry between the alkynyl and azide, and the product may serve a binder for solid propellants. The effects of the energetic plasticizers A3 [1:1 mixture of bis-(2,2-dinitropropy) acetal (BDNPA) and bis-(2,2-dinitropropyl) formal(BDNPN)] and Bu-NENA [N-butyl-N-(2nitroxyethyl) nitramine] on the curing reaction between ATPET and GAP have been studied. A diffusion-ordered nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (DOSY-NMR) approach has been used to monitor the change in the diffusion coefficient of cross-linked polytriazole polyethylene oxide−tetrahydrofuran (PTPET). The change in the diffusion coefficient of PTPET with A3 plasticizer is significantly higher than that of PTPET with Bu-NENA. Viscosity analysis further highlighted the difference between A3 and Bu-NENA in the curing process—the curing curve of PTPET (A3) with time can be divided into two stages, with an inflection point being observed on the fourth day. For PTPET (Bu-NENA), in contrast, only one stage is seen. The above methods, together with gel permeation chromatography (GPC) analysis, revealed distinct effects of A3 and Bu-NENA on the curing process of PTPET. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis showed that Bu-NENA has little effect on the valence oxidation of copper in the catalyst. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis indicated that Bu-NENA helps to improve the thermal stability of the catalyst. After analysis of several possible factors by means of XPS, modeling with Material Studio and TG, the formation of molecular cages between Bu-NENA and copper is considered to be the reason for the above differences. In this article, GAP (Mn = 4000 g/mol) was used to replace GAP (Mn = 427 g/mol) to successfully synthesize the PTPET elastomer with Bu-NENA plasticizer. Mechanical data measured for the PTPET (Bu-NENA) sample included ε = 34.26 ± 2.98%, and σ = 0.198 ± 0.015 MPa.

Rotational hydrogen thermometry by hybrid fs/ps coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering in the plume of a burning metalized propellant

We employed a hybrid femtosecond/picosecond coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (fs/ps CARS) instrument to probe rotational temperatures of molecular hydrogen in the multiphase reaction zone of an aluminized ammonium perchlorate (AP) propellant flame. Significant concentrations of hydrogen, present in the plume due to the decomposition of the propellant binder material and subsequent reactions with AP oxidizers, allowed for single-shot thermometry at the laser repetition rate of 1 kHz. A time-asymmetric picosecond probe pulse time-gated the impulsively generated Raman coherence at a delay of 2.66 ps from the pump and Stokes pulses, before any appreciable coherence dephasing occurred in the atmospheric pressure flames and mitigating uncertainties in the Raman transition frequencies and dephasing processes. Measurements in near-adiabatic H2-air flames at equivalence ratios of $$\phi$$ = 1–1.8 demonstrated measurement accuracy to near 5% of equilibrium predictions with a precision approaching 3% for high signal-to-noise ratio spectra. Introduction of a time-delayed probe pulse provided Raman-resonant spectra from the plumes of burning propellants with ample signal above broadband background emission, which were fit to libraries of synthetic spectra to infer the gas rotational temperature 0–15 mm from the burning surface. The mean fitted temperature of 2494 K from three propellant burns compares favorably to other measurements of gas and particle temperatures in similar propellant studies.

Development and Characterization of a Photopolymeric Binder for Additively Manufactured Composite Solid Propellant Using Vibration Assisted Printing

AbstractAn emerging area of research in the energetic materials community is the development of new manufacturing methods, such as additive manufacturing (AM), that can be used to selectively deposit energetic materials into complex geometries, which provides more control over how the energetics perform during combustion. Although ammonium perchlorate (AP) composite propellant has been 3D printed at solids loadings that are comparable to traditional formulations (85 wt.%) with vibration assisted printing (VAP), traditional propellant binders such as hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) are poorly suited for 3D printing large or complex structures because propellant made with HTPB deforms easily under its own weight and isocyanates do not crosslink HTPB fast enough to facilitate rapid polymerization after deposition. Ultraviolet (UV) curable photopolymers have been used for many types of AM processes, such as stereolithography, and there is a variety of commercially available binders with customizable chemical and mechanical properties. However, little work has been done to characterize the optimal cure characteristics of UV curable binders that are compatible with composite propellants. Furthermore, it has also been speculated that aluminized propellants may not be amenable to UV curing since opaque particles impede UV transmission. In this work, the curing properties of a photopolymer that has similar characteristics to HTPB with AP and aluminum were quantified. The ingredients consisted of a polybutadiene urethane acrylate and hexanediol diacrylate (HDDA) polymer binder, which could be mixed in various ratios to control properties such as adhesion to particle surfaces and viscosity, as well as bisacylphosphine oxide (BAPO) which is a well‐known photoinitiator for deep curing in the coatings industry. The effect of wavelength, exposure time, and intensity on cure depth were quantified on the neat photopolymer. In addition, the effect of aluminum content (up to 20 %) on the cure depth of propellant with a solids loading of 85 wt.% was measured. It was shown that at higher intensities (∼20 mW/cm2), aluminized propellants could be cured to depths on the order of 1–2 mm, which is greater than the typical layer thickness of propellants printed via VAP (∼0.25 mm). In addition, it was shown that there were no visible interfaces in aluminized propellant (15 % aluminum) that was cured layer‐by‐layer. The approach taken could be applied to a wide range of other granular, opaque composite materials, such as metal, ceramic, and fibrous mixtures.

Cross-linking network structures and mechanical properties of novel HTPE/PCL binder for solid propellant

A series of cross-linked hydroxyl-terminated polyether and poly(e-caprolactone) HTPE/PCL binders were prepared by varying the relative mass contents of PCL to HTPE. The correlations between the microstructures and macroscopic mechanical properties of HTPE/PCL binders at a wide temperature range of − 50 to 70 °C were investigated. The cross-linking network structures of HTPE/PCL binders were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR), and the universal testing machine was used to characterize the mechanical properties of HTPE/PCL binders. It is found that the influence of adding PCL on the physical cross-linking network structures is not obvious, but it reduces the degree of microphase separation. For the chemical cross-linking network structures of HTPE/PCL binders, the cross-linking density (Ve) demonstrates an increasing tendency with enhancing PCL mass content, but the molecular weight between the cross-linking points (Mc) shows an opposite change trend. The addition of PCL can improve the maximum tensile strength (σm) of HTPE/PCL binders under the wide temperature range of − 50 to 70 °C. The HTPE/PCL binder with 40 wt% PCL possesses the better mechanical properties; its σm increases from 0.63 to 0.81 MPa at 20 °C, 1.64 to 3.06 MPa at − 50 °C and 0.57 to 0.68 MPa at 70 °C separately comparing with the HTPE binder.

Improvement of mechanical properties of in situ-prepared HTPE binder in propellants.

A new type of hydroxyl-terminal block copolymer (HTPE) binder with excellent mechanical properties was prepared using an in situ preparation method. Compared with traditional HTPE binder preparation, this method involves relatively simple operations, which not only reduces costs, but also does not require a complicated synthesis process to prepare the HTPE prepolymer intermediate. Thus, it is expected to replace the binder for HTPE propellants. The mechanical properties, crosslinking density, hydrogen bonding, and thermal performances of the prepared HTPE binders were investigated through tensile testing, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis. The ultimate tensile strength (σm) of the in situ-prepared HTPE binder was 1.83 MPa, the fracture elongation (εb) was 371.61%, and the strength increased by 80% compared to the HTPE binders. The crosslink density (Ve) decreased with an increasing content of PEG and/or TDI. The proportion of H-bonds formed by the imino groups increased with the content of PEG and TDI and reached 81.49% at PEG and TDI contents of 50% and 80%, respectively, indicating a positive correlation between the H-bonds and σm. Based on the statistical theory of elasticity, the integrity of the curing networks showed that the contents of PEG and TDI affected the integrity of the curing networks. The DSC data of the in situ-prepared HTPE binder showed a lower glass transition temperature. Finally, compared to HTPE propellant, the strength and elongation of the in situ-prepared HTPE propellant increased by 206% and 135%, respectively. This exciting result greatly enhances the feasibility of the in situ HTPE preparation method.

Analysis and characterization of nitrocellulose as binder optimized by 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide

Nitrocellulose (NC), a highly energetic compound, is widely used in nitrolacquer, celluloid, binder, propellants, and explosives. Many studies have focused on the inflammability and instability of NC, but few have investigated its use as a propellant binder. To optimize the properties of NC as a propellant binder, this study introduced 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([Bmim][NTf2]) as an additive. This study focuses on the thermal pyrolysis behavior and decomposition mechanism of pure NC (NC-P), NC-NTf2 (i.e., NC mixed with [Bmim][NTf2]), and NC-NTf2-eth (i.e., NC mixed with 30% [Bmim][NTf2] and 70% ethanol). First, the thermal degradation processes of NC and [Bmim][NTf2] were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis. In addition, the essential thermodynamic parameters of NC-P, NC-NTf2, and NC-NTf2-eth were obtained by differential scanning calorimetry, and the apparent activation energies were evaluated using the Starink method and Friedman method. The results show that NC-NTf2 has low onset decomposition temperature, low activation energy, and high energy release rate. Moreover, NC-P, NC-NTf2, and NC-NTf2-eth were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to verify and interpret the thermal analysis results obtained.

Glycidyl Azide Polymer and its Derivatives-Versatile Binders for Explosives and Pyrotechnics: Tutorial Review of Recent Progress.

Glycidyl azide polymer (GAP), an energetic binder, is the focus of this review. We briefly introduce the key properties of this well-known polymer, the difference between energetic and non-energetic binders in propellant and explosive formulations, the fundamentals for producing GAP and its copolymers, as well as for curing GAP using different types of curing agents. We use recent works as examples to illustrate the general approaches to curing GAP and its derivatives, while indicating a number of recently investigated curing agents. Next, we demonstrate that the properties of GAP can be modified either through internal (structural) alterations or through the introduction of external (plasticizers) additives and provide a summary of recent progress in this area, tying it in with studies on the properties of such modifications of GAP. Further on, we discuss relevant works dedicated to the applications of GAP as a binder for propellants and plastic-bonded explosives. Lastly, we indicate other, emerging applications of GAP and provide a summary of its mechanical and energetic properties.

Nitramine-Group-Containing Energetic Prepolymer: Synthesis, and Its Properties as a Binder for Propellant

A composite solid propellant which generates high propulsive force in a short time is typically composed of an oxidizer, a metal fuel powder and a binder. Among these, the binder is an important component. The binder maintains the mechanical properties of propellant grains and endures several thermal and mechanical stresses in the engine. Several studies have been reported for the development of energetic propellant binders for increasing the propellant′s propulsive force. While several materials have been studied for the synthesis of energetic prepolymers, a nitramine-group-containing prepolymer is a suitable candidate because these types of prepolymers are less toxic and more cost-effective when compared to the traditional glycidyl azide polymers (GAP) and triazole-based prepolymers. Considering the lack of studies for the binder using a nitramine-group-containing prepolymers, we synthesized a nitramine-group-containing monomer and polymerized a nitramine-group-containing prepolymer. The prepolymer was then used for the preparation of the binder and its thermal and mechanical properties, as well as the effect of the plasticizer, were studied. The binder that was prepared using the prepolymer containing a nitramine-group showed very high elongation, tensile strength. Nitrate-ester (NE)-type plasticizer could reduce the glassy transition temperature (Tg)of the binder successfully. Also, high-energy is released due to the decomposition of the nitramine-group at around 245 °C, thus exhibiting the efficiency of the nitramine-group-containing prepolymer as an excellent energetic binder material.

PolyNIMMO-HTPE-polyNIMMO triblock copolymer as a potential energetic binder: Synthesis and characterization

A novel energetic polymer binder was developed through ring opening copolymerization of 3-nitratomethyl-3-methyloxetane (NIMMO) with (HTPE) as a macroinitiator to form tri-block copolymer polyNIMMO-HTPE-polyNIMMO. The structure of tri-block copolymer was confirmed by FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and GPC. In comparison with HTPE, polyNIMMO-HTPE-polyNIMMO has a higher viscosity because of its increased molecular weight with additional ONO2 as side groups and strengthened intermolecular interaction. The glass transition temperature studies show two glass transition processes in their DSC curves. One signal around −69 °C arises from the HTPE segment, while the other signal around −30 °C is related to the terminal polyNIMMO segments in the tri-block polymers. The TGA-DTG and DSC curves indicate that polyNIMMO-HTPE-polyNIMMO has a good thermal stability and its exothermic decomposition peak is found to be around 220 °C. The kinetic parameters and the thermodynamic parameters for the thermal decomposition of polyNIMMO-HTPE-polyNIMMO-IV are obtained from the DSC data by non-isothermal methods proposed by ASTM E698 and FWO. These results demonstrate that tri-block copolymer polyNIMMO-HTPE-polyNIMO might be a potential energetic propellant binder.