Experimental Performance Evaluation of Small Solid Rocket Motor with Composite Case for Environmental Conditions

Abstract

Polymeric composites are widely used in aerospace. One such important use of polymeric composites is the filament-wound composite case for the Solid Rocket Motor (SRM). Environmental conditions expected during flight and other phases of the SRM’s life cycle affect its performance. The performance of SRM, in turn, depends primarily on the composite case and propellant grain. In this study, the performance evaluation of SRM with the composite case is carried out for different environmental conditions. These cases are designed to sustain very high pressure and temperature environments generated due to the combustion of propellant grains and are intended to perform adequately at any time during their service life. The performance evaluation test matrix is formulated considering various expected dynamic and thermal conditions. The small SRM with a composite case is subjected to planned tests as per the matrix, followed by static tests. The pressure versus time data is plotted for all test conditions. The ballistic parameters result of the virgin (without subjecting it to any test) small SRM is considered as a reference for comparative studies with the rest of all other test conditions results. All the ballistic performance test results are also analysed with respect to the pressure-time curve for mission bounds. The analysis of experimental test results reveals that various environmental dynamic conditions like random vibration, acceleration and shock, do not affect the composite case and the ballistic performance of a small SRM. The effect of grain temperature on ballistic performance is also found as expected.