Rocket propellants single base

Single and Double-Base Propellants. Early solid rocket propellants were based on processing methods similar to that used in the mbber industry, with propellants extmded into the desired grain configuration. Propellants... 

The strength of alcohol commonly used in the US is 95% (190 proof), while 96% is used in Europe. For prepn of perfumes the 70% alcobol is used. TTie so-called absolute alcobol (200 proof) is at least 99% and its use is restricted. to analytical purposes or research. The so-called industrial alcohol is unfit to drink because it contains up to 5% methanol (wood alcohol) or benzene. Such alcohol is known as denatured and it is briefly described in Vol 3 of Encycl, p D63-R. Denatured alcohol is used as a solvent for expls, rocket fuels, rubbers, detergents, etc. Mixture of 1 part alcobol with 2 parts eth (described in Vol 5 of Encycl as Diethyl Ether) used as a solvent in dehydration of Pyrocellulose in manuf of single-base propint, such as described in Davis (Ref 2) and also on p C399 of Vol 3 of Encycl, under "Colloiding Agents and Colloidal Propellants ... 

Since the development of this terpolymer in 1957, more solid composite rocket propellant has been produced from PBAN than from any other single prepolymer. Propellants based on this material have been used successfully in applications ranging from small tactical motors to the 260-in. diameter motor containing greater than 2,000,000 lb. of propellant. PBAN propellants, therefore, have been and are expected to be a major factor in making solid rocket motors during the next several years. The thermal stability which has been achieved, low temperature cycling characteristics, and low cost of propellants based on this prepolymer make this system attractive. 

Accdg to compositions, cannon smokeless proplnts may be subdivided into single-base-, double-base- and triple-base-proplnts. The last two proplnts are sometimes called "compound proplnts. The so-called "composite proplnts, used in JATOS and rockets, are described under Composite Propellants... 

High explosives may be class d according to their physical properties as powdery, meltable, semi-meltable and plastic. Propellants may be grouped on the basis of chemical composition into gun powder and similar mixtures, nitrocellulose (single base) and nitroglycerine (double base) powders, With respect to their uses and some properties they are divided into black powder, smokeless and flashless powders, and rocket propellants. 

Nitrocellulose, which is the most important component of single-base and double-base powders and multibase rocket propellants. It is also used to gelatinize commercial explosives. Outside the explosives industry, it is also used in the manufacture of lacquers and varnishes ... 

Some US proplnts listed as "single-base (such as Ml, MIAI M6 may also he considered as "double-base because they are based on two expl ingredients NC DNT. The same reasoning applies to some Ger proplnts which contd NC PETN (Ref 23, pGer 141) Double Base Propellants for Rockets. Compns of some US rocket proplnts, such as M7, M13,... 

When black powder is used to propel rockets it is classed as a composite propellant (where the fuel and oxidiser are intimately mixed) and forms part of a rocket motor in which the powder is compressed to form a monolithic single grain inside a combustion chamber as shown in Figure 3.1. As well as gunpowder, the composite propellant mix will contain a binder which is used to improve the cohesion of the ingredients. Binders form a distinct phase and tend to reduce the sensitiveness of the propellant to shock and impact. When based on organic materials, as is normally the case, they will serve as part of the fuel component also. 

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