Novel polyurethane formulations: preparation, characterization and applicability into composite energetic mixtures

Abstract. Composite rocket propellants are heterogeneous energetic mixtures based on crystalline oxidizers, metallic powders and polymeric binders. Considering the field of applicability, these composite formulations incorporate hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene as a polymeric binder to obtain an appropriate mechanical behavior. The new polyurethane formulations developed comprising various commercial polyols, isophorone diisocyanate as a crosslinking agent, dibutyltin dilaurate as a curing catalyst and isodecyl pelargonate as a plasticizer are reported here. The developed polyurethanes were investigated by specific analytical techniques: Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and mechanical testing. Furthermore, the optimal polyurethane formulations were used in the development and characterization of novel composite energetic mixtures, to demonstrate their applicability as a binder.