3D printed ABS/paraffin hybrid rocket fuels with carbon dots for superior combustion performance

In this research, the combustion performance of a novel, composite hybrid rocket fuel grain composed of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Paraffin was investigated to understand the effects of incorporation of a novel nanomaterial: gel-like carbon dots (CDs), into the paraffin component. ABS fuel grains with straight ports were 3D printed and used as molds into which base and 1 wt% CD-loaded paraffin materials were casted separately. For control, pure ABS fuel grains were also printed. All fuel grains were exposed to ballistic tests using the lab-scale test setup where gaseous oxygen (GOX) was employed as oxidizer. Test results exhibited that ABS/CD-loaded paraffin fuel grains manifested a maximum combustion efficiency and regression rate of 88% and 1.29 mm/s, which marked enhancements of about 8.5% and 11% compared to ABS/pure paraffin fuel grains, respectively. Despite the compromise in the mechanical properties, the enhancement in combustion characteristics of CD-loaded fuel grains was attributed to lower viscosity, higher particle entrainment, specific surface area and catalytic activity (C) 2020 The Combustion Institute. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The research investigated the combustion performance of a novel composite hybrid rocket fuel grain composed of ABS and paraffin with the incorporation of gel-like carbon dots (CDs). The results showed that ABS/CD-loaded paraffin fuel grains exhibited higher combustion efficiency and combustion rate compared to ABS/pure paraffin fuel grains, despite compromising on mechanical properties. The enhancement in combustion characteristics of CD-loaded fuel grains was attributed to lower viscosity, higher particle entrainment, specific surface area, and catalytic activity.