Ignition and combustion studies of boron, and highly magnesium-loaded formulations for air-agumented rocket applications are reported. Ignition and combustion characteristics of pure boron and of boron-containing particulate ejecta from highly-boron-loaded fuel-rich primary motor formulations were studied. Physical and chemical characteristics of the motor ejecta were studied and their ignition/combustion characteristics were compared to those for pure boron. The minimum surrounding temperature for ignition for the two materials was nearly identical but the ignition delay time was considerably lower for the motor ejecta material. Burning times for comparable size particles of each type were equal within experimental error. In the size range of interest (2 to 10 equal micron diameter), the burning was observed to be characterized by a d1-law (kinetics-limited combustion). Thermodynamic screening of possible highly-magnesium-loaded fuel-rich propellants was carried out and candidate castable and pressed formulations for air-augmented rocket applications were defined. Several were characterized in terms of their safety and ballistic properties. Experiments were performed to identify the characteristics of the exhaust products from combustion in the absence of air. These experiments indicated that considerable magnesium, with significant fraction of it in the gas phase is produced. The presence of such quantities of magnesium gas should result in excellent combustion of the product streams emanating from these propellants with air in a ramburner. Nozzle plugging and residue formation are possible problem areas.

Boron-Based Fuel-Rich Solid Rocket Propellant Technology is a professional book that systematically introduces the latest research progress for boron-based fuel-rich solid propellants. It covers surface modifications, coating and agglomerating techniques, granulation, and characterization of amorphous boron powders, and its application to fuel-rich solid rocket propellants. Technologies for controlling the processing methods and combustion performance of fuel-rich propellants are examined, and the book concludes with a summary of the research progress in boron-based fuel-rich solid propellants and a look forward to the foreseeable development trends of military applications.

Boron-Based Fuel-Rich Solid Rocket Propellant Technology is a professional book that systematically introduces the latest research progress for boron-based fuel-rich solid propellants. It covers surface modifications, coating and agglomerating techniques, granulation, and characterization of amorphous boron powders, and its application to fuel-rich solid rocket propellants. Technologies for controlling the processing methods and combustion performance of fuel-rich propellants are examined, and the book concludes with a summary of the research progress in boron-based fuel-rich solid propellants and a look forward to the foreseeable development trends of military applications.

This third edition of the classic on the thermochemical aspects of the combustion of propellants and explosives is completely revised and updated and now includes a section on green propellants and offers an up-to-date view of the thermochemical aspects of combustion and corresponding applications. Clearly structured, the first half of the book presents an introduction to pyrodynamics, describing fundamental aspects of the combustion of energetic materials, while the second part highlights applications of energetic materials, such as propellants, explosives and pyrolants, with a focus on the phenomena occurring in rocket motors. Finally, an appendix gives a brief overview of the fundamentals of aerodynamics and heat transfer, which is a prerequisite for the study of pyrodynamics. A detailed reference for readers interested in rocketry or explosives technology.

Single particle boron ignition and combustion models developed in earlier phases of this program have been utilized and extended to treatment of boron cloud ignition, oxidizer depletion effects on cloud combustion time, laminar flame speeds in boron dust clouds, agglomerate ignition, and the effects of halogens, lithium fluoride coatings, and metal coatings on particle ignition. In addition, they have been utilized in a modular combustor model (well-stirred reactor followed by a two-dimensional mixing zone) of boron slurry combustion. Critical deficiencies in knowledge of processes of condensation of various boron oxides/hydroxides have been defined and an experiment to better quantify and understand these processes has been designed. An experimental program for definition of kinetics of boron oxide liquid plus water vapor (important to boron particle ignition) has been carried out. A comprehensive data base of ignition and combustion times for small (10 to 50 micron) boron particles in various wet and dry environments has been developed and a limited experimental study of the effects of LiF coatings on boron ignition performed. Finally, experiments aimed at characterizing dominant processes is boron solid-fuel ramjet combustion, utilizing a windowed slab burner, have been accomplished. (Author).