Testing Electric Effects on the Burning Rate of Ammonium-Nitrate-Based Solid Propellants

An experimental study of the electric effects on the combustion behavior of ammonium nitrate (AN)-based solid propellants has been conducted. A noticeable effect of the applied voltage on the flame behavior and the burning rate was observed. The burning rate showed an increase by a factor of 3 to 5 when applying voltage as high as 250 V. Propellant storing conditions were found significant, revealing a greater electricity effect for propellant strands exposed to ambient (humid) environment than for those stored in the desiccator's dry conditions. Propellants based on ammonium perchlorate (AP) oxidizer were not affected by the application of an electric field.