Solid Propellant Flammability Including Ignitability and Combustion Limits

Abstract : Studies were directed at developing an understanding of mechanisms of propellants burning in air and of factors that control limits of burning so that one may rationalize choices of propellant formulation, charge configuration, process techniques, and special additives to reduce accidental ignition and burning of propellants in ambient air. Propellants were categorized in terms of convective, conductive, and radiative ignition data and in terms of burning rate and extinguishment limit data. Significant improvements in the flammability limits have been achieved using coolants (at the 10% level) with composite propellants made from high decomposition-temperature ingredients (e.g., HMX and polyurethane).