High-frequency instability of combustion in solid rocket motors

Physical and chemical grounds for the unstable combustion of solid propellants in rocket motors are considered. Micro-oscillations of electric conductivity in combustion zones are measured. Nonuniform burning of propellant components and auto-oscillating gas-phase reactions are analyzed as possible reasons for the microoscillations. The correlation between unstable combustion of solid propellants and micro-oscillations in combustion zones is established. Possible applications of the results obtained are suggested for future motor design.