Solid Propellants

AbstractSolid propellants are widely used in rocket propulsion applications. They are often tailored by specific applications such as space launchers, missiles, and guns. Solid propellants are typically classified as homogeneous or heterogeneous (composite propellants), according to their chemical composition and physical structures. The former contains fuels and oxidizers, which are chemically linked at the molecular level. The latter include fuel and oxidizers, which are mixed physically. Typical examples of homogeneous propellants are single‐base (NC and additives), double‐base (NC, NG and additives), and triple‐base (NC, NG, NQ, and additives) propellants. For composite propellants, the ingredients often used as oxidizers are AP, AN, ADN, RDX, and HMX. Some of the commonly employed binders are HTPB, CTPB, and GAP. Metal fuel additives such as aluminum particles are widely employed in propellant mixtures to enhance motor performance and stability characteristics. This section details the composition and classification of solid propellants, along with their combustion behaviors.