Randomized trial shows enhanced combustion performance and electrostatic safety in GATo propellants with composite catalysts, implying improved safety measures.
Key Points
The aim is to improve both the electrostatic safety and combustion performance of solid propellants using composite catalysts.
Designed CuCr₂O₄/polypyrrole composite catalysts with varying loadings (10, 30, and 50 wt%) via hydrothermal method and in-situ polymerization.
Evaluated effects on GATo propellants by measuring electrical resistivity, thermal decomposition, and burning rate after incorporating composites at 2 wt%.
Characterized microstructural changes using electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction.
The composite with 10 wt% CuCr₂O₄ showed a 38% increase in negative electrostatic sensitivity threshold (from 1.78 J to 2.45 J).
Impact sensitivity threshold improved by 150% (from 4.0 J to 10.0 J) with 10 wt% CuCr₂O₄ addition.
The 50 wt% CuCr₂O₄ composite increased the burning rate by 44% (from 3.79 to 5.47 mm/s) but reduced exothermic peak temperature by 5.3°C.