Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Study on the ignition combustion and agglomeration mechanism of GAP/CL-20 composite propellants

  • Published:
Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Glycidyl azide polymer (GAP)/Hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL-20) composite propellants have significant advantages, such as high energy density and low characteristic signal. However, the lack of understanding of its ignition combustion and agglomeration mechanism limits its large-scale engineering application in solid rocket motors. In this paper, the ignition, combustion and agglomeration processes of GAP/CL-20 propellants were studied in detail by using modern analytical and testing instruments, such as high-speed cameras, CO2 laser ignition devices and laser particle size analyzers. First, the ignition and combustion process of the GAP/CL-20 composite propellant were observed with a high-speed camera, and its ignition and combustion mechanism were analyzed. On the basis of the BDP model, a multiple flame structure model suitable for the GAP/CL-20 composite propellant was proposed. Then, the agglomeration of aluminum particles in the combustion process of the GAP/CL-20 composite propellant was observed, and an agglomeration mechanism suitable for the GAP/CL-20 composite propellant was proposed based on the pocket model and skeleton layer theory. Subsequently, the particle size distribution, micromorphology and crystal structure of the condensed phase combustion products were analyzed. The particle size distribution of the condensed combustion products (CCPs) showed three modes, and the CCPs contained active aluminum, which indicated that aluminum particles were not fully oxidized during the combustion process of the propellant. Finally, several further research directions were proposed. The research results may have reference value for the engineering application of GAP/CL-20 propellants.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Turcotte R, Vachon M, Kwok QS, Wang R, Jones DE. Thermal study of HNIW (CL-20). Thermochim Acta. 2005;433:105–15.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Viswanath JV, Venugopal KJ, Rao N, Venkataraman A. An overview on importance, synthetic strategies and studies of 2,4,6,8,10,12-hexanitro-2,4,6,8,10,12-hexaazaisowurtzitane(HNIW). Def Technol. 2016;12:401–18.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Ordzhonikidze O, Pivkina A, Frolov Y, Muravyev N, Monogarov K. Comparative study of HMX and CL-20. J Therm Anal Calorim. 2011;105:529–34.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Dai Z, Wu J, Xiang L, Zhao M. Preliminary study of properties of high energy and low signature CL-20 based solid propellants. Chem Propellants Polym Mater. 2009;7(6):48–50.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Zhou S, Wu F, Tang G, Wang Y, Pang A, Song H, Wang Y. Influence of CL-20 content and its particle size gradation on combustion performance of NEPE propellants. Chin J Explos Propellants. 2020;43(2):195–202.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Li W, Wang W, Wang F, Fu X, Zhang W. Synthesis and performance of schiff base type liquid crystalline ionomer containing sulfo group. Chem Propellants Polym Mater. 2016;14(4):73–83.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Yuan L, Liu T, Cheng S. The combustion characteristics of GAP gumstock propellants. 32th AIAA/ASME/SAE/ASEE Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit, Lake Buena Vista, FL, July 1–3, 1996.

  8. Liu L, Ao W, Wen Z, Zhang Y, Lv X, Qin Z, Liu P. Combustion promotion and agglomeration reduction of the composite propellant using graphene. Aerosp Sci Technol. 2021;118:106988.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Ao W, Fan Z, Liu L, An Y, Ren J, Zhao M, Liu P, Li L. Agglomeration and combustion characteristics of solid composite propellants containing aluminum-based alloys. Combust Flame. 2020;220:288–97.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Li L, Chen X, Zhou C, Zhu M, Musa O. Experimental investigation on laser ignition and combustion characteristics of NEPE propellant. Propellants Explos Pyrotech. 2017;42:1095–103.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Beckstead MW, Hightower JD. Surface temperature of deflagrating ammonium perchlorate crystals. AIAA J. 1967;5(10):1785–90.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Beckstead MW, Derr RL, Price CF. A model of composite solid-propellant combustion based on multiple flames. AIAA J. 1970;8(12):2200–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Beckstead MW, Puduppakkam K, Thakre P, Yang V. Modeling of combustion and ignition of solid-propellant ingredients. Prog Energy Combust Sci. 2007;33:497–551.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Zhou S, Zhou X, Tang G, Guo X, Pang A. Differences of thermal decomposition behaviors and combustion properties between CL-20-based propellants and HMX-based solid propellants. J Therm Anal Calorim. 2020;140:2529–40.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Takahashi K, Oide S, Kuwahara T. Agglomeration characteristics of aluminum particles in AP/AN composite propellants. Propellants Explos Pyrotech. 2013;38:555–62.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Ao W, Liu X, Rezaiguia H, Liu H, Wang Z, Liu P. Aluminum agglomeration involving the second mergence of agglomerates on the solid propellants burning surface: experiments and modeling. Acta Astronaut. 2017;136:219–29.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Cohen NS. A pocket model for aluminum agglomeration in composite propellants. AIAA J. 1983;21(5):720–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Babuk VA, Vassiliev VA, Sviridov VV. Propellant formulation factors and metal agglomeration in combustion of aluminized solid rocket propellant. Combust Sci Technol. 2001;163(1):261–89.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Yuan J, Liu J, Zhou Y, Wang J, Xv T. Aluminum agglomeration of AP/HTPB composite propellant. Acta Astronaut. 2019;156:14–22.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Zhou X, Jiang W, Lei X, Yan B, Zhou M, Hu X, Song H. Research on adjustment of combustion property of GAP/CL-20 high-energy propellant. J Solid Rocket Technol. 2022;45(1):103–8.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Zarko VE, Glotov OG. Formation of Al oxide particles in combustion of aluminized condensed systems. Sci Technol Energ Mater. 2013;74(6):139–43.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Clean Energy Utilization, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China

    Xueqin Liao, Hui Liu, Jianzhong Liu, Peihui Xu & Longjin Du

Authors
  1. Xueqin Liao
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hui Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jianzhong Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Peihui Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Longjin Du
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

XL performed the experiment, the data analyses and wrote the manuscript; HL contributed significantly to analysis and manuscript preparation; JL* helped perform the analysis with constructive discussions; PX helped perform the analysis with constructive discussions; LD helped perform the analysis with constructive discussions.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jianzhong Liu.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Liao, X., Liu, H., Liu, J. et al. Study on the ignition combustion and agglomeration mechanism of GAP/CL-20 composite propellants. J Therm Anal Calorim 148, 4141–4150 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-023-11995-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-023-11995-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation