THE MIGRATION OF PLASTICIZER IN SOLID-PROPELLANT GRAINS

The migration of the plasticizer, dioctyl adipate (DOA) in the acceler ated ageing of composite propellant has been studied. The method is ba sed on the extraction of DOA with carbon tetrachloride and its estimat ion by gas chromatography. The concentration of DOA in the propellant at different distances from the insulation was determined after a defi nite ageing period and compared with the initial DOA concentration. Th e effect of (a) the ageing period, and (b) the ageing temperature on t he degree of migration was examined. The present studies confirm the e xistence of plasticizer migration in the propellant adjacent to the in sulation, during ageing.