A study on the microstructure of a nitrate ester plasticized polyether propellant dissolved in HCl and KOH solutions

Abstract

Understanding of how the properties and performance of nitrate ester plasticized polyether (NEPE) propellants relate to microstructure is complicated by numerous components that have different characteristics. One approach to alleviating these complications is to observe a microstructure that has lost one or several components. This article examines the dissolution process, mass loss and change of the ion concentration of propellants in acid and alkali solutions. A scanning electron microscope was used to observe the dissolved residual of the propellants. The results revealed that the main constituents of NEPE propellant have different dissolving properties in solutions of HCl and KOH. By monitoring the dissolution process of NEPE propellant in HCl and KOH solutions, it was found that the microstructure of the propellant is generally compact and the polymer binder not only binds all the other components, but also protects the inner part of the propellant in solution.