Catalysis and inhibition of the combustion of ammonium perchlorate based solid propellants

Results of studies of the combustion of a composite solid propellant based on ammonium perchlorate are presented. The effect of additives of metal oxi des is studied for the high and low-temperature decompositions, linear pyro lysis, and combustion of ammonium perchlorate, the decomposition of HCIO4, isobutylene oxidation by oxygen and perchloric acid, and the combustion of propellants with various organic combustibles. It is shown that the efficie ncy of metal oxides in the reactions of oxidation of isobutylene and propel lant combustion is related to the energy of the Me-O bond in the surface ox ide layer or the enthalpy of formation of this bond. The external nature of the catalytic effect of metal oxides on the burning rate of the propellant is due to the small time of residence of the oxide particles in the zone o f intense oxidation-reduction reactions. For this reason, the same additive s of metal oxides has different effects on the combustion of the propellant with different organic combustibles, and the most efficient catalyst can b e chosen by a simplified algorithm. The potentials for affecting the compos ite solid propellant via gas-phase oxidation-reduction reactions is indicat ed by the effect of additives of organic sources of active species - amines and halides.