Catalytic Action of Submicrometer Spherical Ta/Ph-Fe on Combustion of AP/HTPB Propellant

This paper describes the preparation of two combustion catalysts Tannin-Fe (Ta−Fe) and Phloroglucinol-Fe (Ph−Fe) by spray drying. The particle size and morphology of the particles are observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results of SEM image show that the particles are regular spherical and very good dispersion. The diameter of most spherical particles is about 1 μm. The effects of Ta−Fe and Ph−Fe on the thermal decomposition of RDX and AP were tested by differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). DSC dates show that Ta−Fe and Ph−Fe can advance the high temperature exothermic peak of AP 18.0 °C and 16.1 °C, respectively. The burning rates illustrates that both Ta−Fe and Ph−Fe can significantly increase the combustion rate of HTPB propellants. The formulation with 2 mass% Ta−Fe shows an average 21.31 % increase in burning rate and has a low value of the exponent n=0.48. The formulation with 2 mass%Ph−Fe has a burning rate 20 to 60 % larger than that of the initial AP/HTPB/Al formulation, and has a lowest exponent n=0.45.