Burning-Rate Calculations of Wide-Distribution Ammonium Perchlorate Composite Propellants

A combustion model is developed to calculate the burning rates of wide distribution ammonium perchlorate composite propellants. The model is based on the BDP (BecksteadDerr-Price) type multiple flames concept and incorporates separate surface temperatures for oxidizer and binder. Price-Boggs-Derr model of AP self deflagration is used to assure better predictions of oxidizer surface temperature and burning rates. Burning rates are calculated for multimodal oxidizer propellant formulations with a wide distribution of particle sizes. Computed rates are in good agreement with the experimental data of our own experimental test formulations. The predictions in terms of burning rate and pressure exponent are improved compared to earlier models at high pressure and with wide distribution of particle sizes.