Ignition of double-base propellant in a hot stagnation-point flow

Abstract Ignition times of double-base propellant in a hot stagnation-point flow are measured experimentally. External flow temperatures are 568°K, 639°K, and 727°K, flow velocities 4–32 m/sec, and starting heat fluxes 0.5–3.5 cal/cm 2 sec −1 . Ignition times are detected by variation of surface temperature and infrared (IR) emission with time. Experimental results are compared with a theoretical formula for condensed-phase ignition, derived earlier by the asymptotic method in the limit of large activation energy. The resulting comparison shows excellent agreement; reasonable overall activation energy is found to be 30 kcal/mole for ignition.