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Title: Characterization of booster-rocket propellants and their simulants

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6017847

A series of shock-loading experiments on a composite and an energietic propellant and there simulants was conducted on a light-gas gun. The initial objectives were to obtain Hugoniot data, to investigate the pressure threshold at which a reaction occurs, and to measure spall threshold at various impact velocities. The Hugoniot data measured for the propellants fit the Hugoniot curves provided by the manufacturer of the propellants extremely well and the Hugoniot curves developed for the simulants matched those of the propellants. Threshold pressures to initiate reactions in the composite and energetic propellants were found to be 40 and 3 kbars, respectively. In spall tests, the composite propellant and its simulant exhibited spall strengths around 0.25 and 0.18 kbar, respectively. The energetic propellant and its simulant were somewhat stronger with spall strengths just above 0.33 and 0.22 kbar. 12 refs., 6 figs., 6 tabs.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-76DP00789
OSTI ID:
6017847
Report Number(s):
SAND-88-2380C; CONF-890811-21; ON: DE89008197
Resource Relation:
Conference: 9. international symposium on detonation, Portland, OR, USA, 28 Aug - 1 Sep 1989; Other Information: Portions of this document are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English