Naminosuke Kubota
ABSTRACT: Propellants used for pyrotechnics are composed of energetic materials that produce hightemperature and high-pressure gaseous products. The propellants are classified into three types by their physical structure and the ingredients used: (1) homogeneous propellants consisting of chemically bonded oxidizer and fuel components in the same molecule, (2) heterogeneous propellants consisting of physically mixed oxidizer and fuel components, and (3) granulated propellants consisting of energetic solid particles. While the energy content of a propellant is determined by the chemical properties of the ingredients, the physical properties and chemical processes of the ingredients determine the ballistic characteristics such as burn rate and pressure and temperature sensitivities.
Keywords: propellant chemistry, activation energy, burn rate
Ref: JPyro, Issue 11, 2000, pp25-45
(J11_25)
© Journal of Pyrotechnics and CarnDu Ltd
