THE PRIMARY ZONE IN THE COMBUSTION OF SOLID-PROPELLANTS CONTAINING CATALYSTS

Using a scanning electron microscope and an x-ray microprobe analyzer we investigated the structure and composition of the combustion surfac e of the N propellant containing catalysts (PbO2, CuO, PbO2 + CuO) whi ch was extinguished at various pressures. Based on the obtained result s, the heat-transfer coefficient was calculated for the layer above th e catalyzed propellant combustion surface and found to be greater than that of the gas by factors ranging from 1.5 to 15. The calculation of the C-phase heat balance for the N propellant with additives showed t hat the rise in the combustion rate is caused by the increased quantit y of heat entering into the C-phase from the zone above the combustion surface. Thus;, the driving stage in the combustion of catalyzed prop ellants is the zone above the combustion surface and not the C-phase r eaction layer, as in the case of the propellants without any catalysts .