Rheology study of HTPB prepolymer suspensions with different metal micro- and nano-sized particles

Abstract. The influence of the presence of metal powders, in the role of a fuel component, on the rheology of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene, HTPB, polymer binders for PBX explosives or composite propellants was studied. Different grades of micro- and nano-sized aluminum, magnesium or boron were used for the application in future optimization of existing cast formulations. Morphological analysis of Al, Mg and B micro- and nano-sized particles was done using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), for surface purity analyses of these metal particles. Rheological characterization of HTPB prepolymer suspensions, with and without Al, Mg and B particles, was performed using MCR 302 Anton Paar rheometer. Energetic performance of these HTPB/metal fuel mixtures was predicted using appropriate numerical models. The obtained results were analyzed for a prospective use of nanoparticle components in cast explosives or propellants.