Are All Solid Propellant Burning Rate Modifiers Catalysts?

Solid rocket motors are used for both national defense and launch vehicles. The internal ballistics of the motor depend on the propellant burning rate, which is often modified by burning rate enhancers. Despite the common use, there is not a complete mechanistic understanding of how these modifiers influence the combustion process. In this comment, it is argued that these additives can influence propellant combustion as a catalyst, via thermodynamic means, or a combination. An approach is suggested on how to classify traditional and novel burning rate modifiers as a first step to improving the scientific community's knowledge on the matter.

Automated summary

This article discusses the impact of burning rate enhancers on the combustion process in solid rocket motors and suggests a method for classifying these modifiers to improve the scientific understanding of the matter.