Amine salts as bonding agents

Abstract

The polyamine compound, TEPAN, a partially cyanoethylated tetraethylene pamine, is reacted with a selected ammonium salt to form an adduct of TEPAN and the selected ammonium salt. The ammonium salt is selected from ammonium perchlorate (AP), ammonium nitrate (AN), ammonium sulfate (AS), and ammonium formate (AF). The process for preparation of the adduct comprises reacting a water solution of the selected ammonium salt with TEPAN while stirring at room temperature. A TEPAN-glycidol derivative product is also reacted with the selected oxidizer salt to form an adduct of the TEPAN-glycidol derivative product. The disclosed adducts (having adduct ratios of 1.0 to 1.8 equivalents of ammonium salt per mole of TEPAN or TEPAN-glycidol derivative product, TEPANOL) improve mechanical properties and processiblity of composite propellant composition containing about 88 weight percent solids (ammonium perchlorate, aluminum, and Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 catalyst), a binder of hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene and dioctyladipate cured with a mixture of isophorone diisocyanate and a trifunctional isocyanate. Mechanical properties, especially strain at maximum stress at -40.degree. C. are substantially improved. The processing time, particularly the mix cycle time, is shortened because of the amine salt bonding agent eliminating or minimizing in situ ammonia generation during the incorporation and mixing of ammonium perchorate into the propellant mix.