Thiokol Corporation

Robert H Taylor, Jr

Carol J Hinshaw

Solid rocket motor propellants which burn at at least one stable burn rate over at least one corresponding pressure range (i.e the burn rate v. pressure curve contains at least one area of low pressure exponent with respect to a normal curve) are described. The propellant compositions comprise a binder, from about 65% to about 90% by weight ammonium perchlorate, the ammonium perchlorate being of at least two distinct particle sizes; from about 0.3% to about 5.0% by weight refractory oxide selected from the group consisting of TiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, SiO.sub.2, SnO.sub.2, and ZrO.sub.2 ; and from about 5 to about 25% by weight metal, such as aluminum.

Aluminized plateau-burning solid propellant formulations and methods for

Solid rocket motor propellant formulations are provided which are capable of burning at at least two selected burn rates. The burn rate is controlled by controlling the pressure at which the propellant burns. For example, it is possible to mechanically modify the container, such as a rocket motor casing, in which the propellant is held in order to modify the pressure under which the propellant burns. Alternatively, the propellant may be configured or molded such that the pressure changes at a chosen time due to the process of burning the propellant. The propellant is capable of burning at a relatively constant burn rate at a chosen pressure. Once the pressure changes which chosen limits, the burn rate of the propellant is rapidly modified to another relatively constant burn rate. The solid rocket motor propellant is formulated with the addition of from about 0.5% to about 4.0% TiO.sub.2. The specific operating pressures and burn rates can be selected by modifying the amount of TiO.sub.2 added, the modifying the particle size of the various ingredients, and modifying the specific ingredients used.

Use of controlled burn rate, reduced smoke, biplateau solid propellant

Solid rocket motor propellant formulations are provided which are capable of burning at at least two selected burn rates. The burn rate is controlled by controlling the pressure at which the propellant burns. For example, it is possible to mechanically modify the container, such as a rocket motor casing, in which the propellant is held in order to modify the pressure under which the propellant burns. Alternatively, the propellant may be configured or molded such that the pressure changes at a chosen time due to the process of burning the propellant. The propellant is capable of burning at a relatively constant burn rate at a chosen pressure. Once the pressure changes within chosen limits, the burn rate of the propellant is rapidly modified to another relatively constant burn rate. The solid rocket motor propellant is formulated with the addition of from about 0.5% to about 4.0% TiO.sub.2. The specific operating pressures and burn rates can be selected by modifying the amount of TiO.sub.2 added, the modifying particle size of the various ingredients, and modifying the specific ingredients used.

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Harvest, AL, United States of America

Robert H Taylor, Jr