Characterization of Solid Rocket Propellant

Authors' Class Standing

William Carpenter, Freshman

Lead Presenter

William Carpenter

Faculty Mentor Name

Brenda Haven

Format Preference

Demonstration

Abstract

The research team will take an existing student-developed solid rocket propellant, refine its formulation to increase efficiency, and fully characterize it to allow future students to safely make predictable motors using the formulation.

To refine the propellant to maximize its performance and to characterize it, the team will construct the necessary hardware to safely perform motor static tests while measuring motor thrust and chamber pressure. These measurements will allow the team to characterize each propellant formulation and establish performance parameters that can be used to optimize motors made with that propellant. The reformulated, more efficient version of the propellant that will be available to other ERAU students interested in learning how to make solid rocket motors. The team also will investigate improving the performance of the propellant through the use of burn rate modifiers.

Location

AC1-107 (Bldg. 74)

Start Date

4-4-2014 2:55 PM

End Date

4-4-2014 3:10 PM

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Apr 4th, 2:55 PM Apr 4th, 3:10 PM

Characterization of Solid Rocket Propellant

AC1-107 (Bldg. 74)

The research team will take an existing student-developed solid rocket propellant, refine its formulation to increase efficiency, and fully characterize it to allow future students to safely make predictable motors using the formulation.

To refine the propellant to maximize its performance and to characterize it, the team will construct the necessary hardware to safely perform motor static tests while measuring motor thrust and chamber pressure. These measurements will allow the team to characterize each propellant formulation and establish performance parameters that can be used to optimize motors made with that propellant. The reformulated, more efficient version of the propellant that will be available to other ERAU students interested in learning how to make solid rocket motors. The team also will investigate improving the performance of the propellant through the use of burn rate modifiers.