Combustion process of a promising catalyst [Cu(Salen)] for HMX-CMDB propellants

Metal organic complexes are regarded as a series of promising combustion catalysts for solid rocket propellants. Their effects on the combustion performance of propellants are closely related to the reaction mechanism. Here, the metal-organic complex Cu(Salen) was investigated as a candidate material for the combustion catalyst of the HMX-added composite modified double-base propellant (HMX-CMDB). The combustion performance of the propellant was found to be evidently enhanced in the presence of Cu(Salen) compared with the propellant samples containing Benzoic-Cu or without catalyst. The addition of Cu(Salen) can improve the burning rate and combustion efficiency of the propellant - and greatly reduce the burning rate pressure index. Analysis shows that the addition of Cu(Salen) can increase the combustion area, flame brightness and combustion surface uniformity of the propellant to a higher degree. The sample can spray more beams of bright filaments on the flat combustion section, and the amount of gas generated by decomposition also greatly increases. In addition, Cu(Salen) shows amazing advantages in improving the surface of the propellant and the temperature gradient of the combustion flame. Metal organic complexes are regarded as a series of promising combustion catalysts for solid rocket propellants.

Automated summary

Metal organic complexes, such as Cu(Salen), show promising potential as combustion catalysts for solid rocket propellants. In this study, Cu(Salen) was investigated as a catalyst for HMX-CMDB propellants and was found to significantly enhance the combustion performance by improving burning rate and combustion efficiency, and reducing burning rate pressure index.