The Role of Catalysts in the Ignition and Combustion of Solid Propellants

Recent studies on the decomposition and combustion of ammonium perchlorate are reviewed with particular emphasis on the chemistry of the process and on the role of catalysts. This is used for a detailed discussion of the possible reaction mechanisms to attempt to select the specific areas requiring further investigation, both to extend the understanding of the combustion mechanism and to improve the basis of the theoretical models.