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Use of Dynamic Mechanical Measurements to determine the aging behavior of solid propellant
Author(s) -
Husband D. Mark
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
propellants, explosives, pyrotechnics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.56
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1521-4087
pISSN - 0721-3115
DOI - 10.1002/prep.19920170410
Subject(s) - propellant , solid fuel rocket , materials science , accelerated aging , rocket propellant , rocket (weapon) , service life , modulus , composite material , structural engineering , aerospace engineering , engineering
A process for determining the aging characteristics of solid rocket propellants by measuring their dynamic mechanical properties is described. Samples of rocket propellant are tested using a mechanical spectrometer at low strain levels and low frequencies. The change in the dynamic storage modulus of the propellant with aging time and temperature is used to determine the aging rate anf the likely mechanisms occuring during aging. The technique is advantageous is several respects:(1) because the tests are non‐destructive and use small test specimens, and entire aging program can be conducted using much less propellant than is required ihn traditional aging programs (propellant requirements are reduced by more than an order of magnitude) (2) the technique can be applied to samples with unusual or unique geometries which cannot be tested using traditional methods; (3) test specimens can be obtained directly from live, operational solid rocket motors, and service life and mechanical property degradation can be determined.