Effects of Azide-Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene on the Properties of Solid Heterogeneous Rocket Propellants

Solid heterogeneous rocket propellants (SHRPs) are increasingly used, mainly in the armaments industry. SHRPs are usually based on an inert binder - hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB). The use of an inert polymer reduces the performance of the propellants, therefore this paper presents the preparation of propellants with different contents of the previously synthesized azide-HTPB and the results of research on their properties, such as density, calorific value, mechanical and thermal parameters and burning rate. An improvement in the tested parameters was noted in comparision to the properties of propellants without azide-HTPB. An increase in the calorific value of the propellants with the addition of azide-HTPB was noted, with a simultaneous reduction in the amount of oxidant in the SHRP composition. Azide-HTPB as a rocket propellant component has a significant impact on the mechanical properties of the propellant and also increases the propellant's burning rate and the maximum pressure in the motor chamber.