Flame structure of BAMO/HMX propellants

Nitramine based composite propellants have been tested and evaluated in order to obtain smokeless and low hazardous propellants. In this study, azide polymer/nitramine propellants composed of BAMO/HMX mixtures were studied. Measurements of flame structure, burning rate, and temperature in the combustion wave or the propellant samples were conducted. The results indicate that the consists of four reaction zones: Zone I is the burning surface reaction layer where BAMO and HMX melt and decompose to produce reactive gaseous species, and a rapid exothermic reaction accompanied with NO2 and CH2O acting as oxidizers occurs in Zone II. A slow gas phase reaction occurs in Zone III where NO and N2O act as oxidizers, and Zone IV is the final-stage reaction zone where a luminous flame is formed. The pressure sensitivity of burning rate is found to be dependent on the reaction in Zone II, the burning rate being dependent on the heat released by the reaction in Zone I.