Numerical simulation on the interface debonding in solid propellant under large deformation by a cohesive zone model

A new algorithm based on the artificial interaction force between neighbouring particles are introduced to build microstructure models of solid propellant, and the numerical simulation on the non-linear properties of solid propellants under large deformation are performed by using the remeshing technique based on the finite element code ANSYS. The binder/particle interface debonding is modelled through cohesive zone models. The results show that the interface debonding of large particles precedes that of small particles. The overall strains at which interface debonding takes place and the predicted effective stresses of propellants decrease with the decreasing of interface strength. At large strains, the load is mainly carried by the binder network, which is formed due to severe interface debonding. The simulated microscopic deformation modes of solid propellants are well consistent with those of experiments.