Effect of Additives on Liner Properties of Case-bonded Composite Propellants

Abstract

A thin layer of liner is applied to ensure a good bond between the insulator and the propellant in case-bonded rocket motors. It also acts as a protective shield for the insulator
by providing a limited fire protection effect. Liner compositions should preferably be based on the same binder system used in the propellant formulations. As the liner has to hold the propellant and the insulator without debond under all the environmental conditions, it plays a key role in predicted performance of a rocket motor. Hence, studies were carried out to improve the liner properties using various hydroxyl compounds, such as butanediol, cardanol, trimethylol propane, pyrogallol, etc as additives. Butanediol and phloroglucinol combination gave the best results in terms of mechanical properties and interface properties for the liner compositions. The effect of filler content on the liner properties was also studied. The results showed that higher filler content does not affect interface properties. Considering the fire retardancy effect and reinforcement of antimony trioxide (S£203), the formulation containing higher Sb2O3 was selected. The studies on pot life/castable life of liner showed that propellant could be cast up to 6 days after liner coating, without adversely affecting the bonding and the bond strength.