Experimental Investigation of Cellular Instability in Ammonium Perchlorate (AP) and Fine AP-Binder Mixtures

Authors:

Chakravarthy S.R.

year:

2014

Abstract:

This paper examines scanning electron micrographs for the size of cells that appear on the burning surfaces of (1) single crystals and pressed pellets of ammonium perchlorate (AP), and (2) mixtures of fine AP particles with polymeric binder, quenched by rapid depressurization at different pressures. While the cellular structures in self-deflagration of AP are well known yet unexamined quantitatively, those on fine AP/binder mixtures are examined in the context of their mid-pressure extinction leading to plateau burning rate behavior of propellants containing them. The results are an experimental validation of the theoretical predictions of Margolis and Williams (1988) [1] based on diffusional–thermal coupling in the intrinsic stability of combustion of premixed solids.