Development of solid rocket propellant based on Isophorone Diisocyanate - Hydroxyl terminated natural rubber binder

Abstract

In this work, a novelty solid propellant based on Isophorone Diisocyanate (IPDI) with Hydroxyl Terminated Natural Rubber (HTNR) binder network was successfully developed. The preparation of Liquid Natural Rubber (LNR) by chemical degradation Deprotenized Natural Rubber (DPNR) using cobaltous was carried out. From the FTIR spectroscopy, a broad hydroxyl group peak at 3444cm-1 was obtained from HTNR. Rubber network depict a strong carbonyl group C=O at 1714cm-1 and amine group N-H at 3433cm-1. NMR analysis also proves that there was hydroxyl group presence in the sample where broad peak at range 1-3 ppm and 3.5 ppm peak for -HOCH2CH2CH2-. Four different mol ratio of HTNR with IPDI was carried out to find the best formulation with good properties as propellant. Flory-Rehner equation depict that only slightly increasing occur with higher IPDI mol ratio but mixing with Ammonium Perchlorate (AP) and Aluminium Powder (AL) significantly improve the crosslink density. Melting point for HTNR is near to room temperature and it increase abruptly after crosslink with IPDI up to range of 148-150 °C. For all formulation, cross section morphology showed occurrence of porosity and brittle type of failure however HTNR has good contact with AL and AP. 2: 1 molar ratio depict the best burning rate but the combustion characteristic shows less energy and spark compared to HTPB binder