Quantum mechanics

Composite number

Engineering

Thermogravimetric analysis

Pyrolysis

Materials science

Propellant

Energetic material

Decomposition

Chemical engineering

Physical chemistry

Thermodynamics

Physics

Organic chemistry

Thermal decomposition

Thermal

Composite material

Kinetics

Chemistry

Thermal analysis

Explosive material

Amide

Solid-fuel rocket

Activation energy

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry

The employment of burning rate suppressants in the solid rocket propellant formulation is long known. Different research activities have been conducted to well understand the mechanism of suppression, but literature about the action of oxamide (OXA) and azodicarbonamide (ADA) on the thermal decomposition of composite propellant is still scarce. The focus of this study is on investigating the effect of burning rate suppressants on the thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of composite solid propellants. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and differential thermal analysis have been used to identify the changes in the thermal and kinetic behaviors of coolant-based propellants. Two main decomposition stages were observed. It was found that OXA played an inhibition effect on both stages, whereas the ADA acts as a catalyst in the first stage and as coolant in the second one. The activation energy dependent on the conversion rate was estimated by two model-free integral methods: Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) and Flynn–Wall–Ozawa (FWO) based on the TG data obtained at different heating rates. The mechanism of action of coolants on the decomposition of solid propellants was confirmed by the kinetic investigation as well.

Thermal behavior and decomposition kinetics of composite solid propellants in the presence of amide burning rate suppressants