Accelerated curing method for solid propellants

Abstract

Abstract A method is disclosed for curing a nitrogen-fluorine propellant in an electromagnetic alternating field. The propellant is cast into thin walled-titanium tubes of predetermined size and with a graphite-epoxy overwrap. When the propellant-filled tubes are exposed to electromagnetic radiation, the propellant is cured to a grain in about 30 minutes as compared to about 5 days required for thermal curing at 135 DEG F. The disclosed method of curing is achieved because of the permeability of the overwrapped tubes to microwaves. The grain cured by the disclosed method acquires the desired mechanical properties, particulary, a greater uniformity, as indicated by a higher Shore hardness value, within a considerably shorter time period. The greater uniformity of mechanical properties throughout the propellant grain is particularly essential for this application because of the small quantity of propellant and the thrust repeatability necessary from one micromotor to another in the Maneuver Motor Array. Accelerated rate of cure is particularly advantageous because of the shortened turn-around time for the motor casting equipment. This is particularly desired because of the large number of motor tubes which must be cast for each array (112 tubes per array).

Inventors

• 👤 David C. Sayles

Bibliographic Details