STRUCTURE PROPERTY RELATIONSHIP OF HTPB-BASED PROPELLANTS .1. EFFECT OF HYDROXYL VALUE OF HTPB RESIN

Composite propellants based on hydroxyl-terminated Polybutadiene (HTPB) resin are the most common contemporary solid propellants for launch vehicle and missile applications. A series of HTPB resins, manufactured by free-radical polymerisation using a peroxide initiator, with varying molecular weights and hydroxyl values, was used in propellant formulation experiments with a view to studying the resin production variables and their influence on the resultant propellant properties. It is seen that HTPB resins with a wide range of hydroxyl values could be effectively utilized in propellant formulations. Also, propellants with higher strain capability and chain flexibility could be produced from lower hydroxyl value resins.