Abstract Rocket fuels are subjected to intense in-flight inertial, pressure and thermal loads that has drastic effect on its performance. In order to achieve optimal results, we require functionally-graded solid propellant (FGSPs), specifically designed for each flight condition. A novel series of FGSPs were developed using Paraffin Wax (as fuel) and Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (as binder); treated with Dioctyl adipate (C22H42O4), Toluene diisocyante (C9H6N2O2) and Glycerol (C3H8O3). These FGSPs were further doped with light metal hydride nano-powders including Lithium aluminium hydride (LiAlH4) and Magnesium hydride (MgH2). The FGSPs were investigated for thermo-physical and ballistic performance using several characterisation techniques. The Magnesium hydride-doped FGSPs exhibited lower viscosity that fostered entrainment-aided combustion. FGSPs doped with Lithium aluminium hydride featured solid-like behaviour that makes them more stable in solid phase and less susceptible to in-flight loads. Thermal characterisation revealed that Lithium aluminium hydride makes FGSPs comparatively more resistant towards pyrolysis thereby producing greater char-yield. Eventually, combustion characteristics were evaluated by performing static ballistic firings of the developed FGSPs. The doped FGSPs exhibited significant enhancement in regression compared to the base fuel and conventional HTPB fuel. The MgH2-doped FGSP exhibited maximum enhancements of up to 224% and 353% as compared with the base fuel and HTPB, respectively.

中文翻译：

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载有轻金属氢化物的石蜡基混合火箭燃料的弹道和热力学表征

摘要 火箭燃料在飞行中承受着强烈的惯性、压力和热载荷，对其性能产生了巨大的影响。为了获得最佳结果，我们需要功能分级的固体推进剂 (FGSP)，专为每种飞行条件而设计。使用石蜡（作为燃料）和羟基封端的聚丁二烯（作为粘合剂）开发了一系列新型 FGSP；用己二酸二辛酯 (C22H42O4)、甲苯二异氰酸酯 (C9H6N2O2) 和甘油 (C3H8O3) 处理。这些 FGSP 进一步掺杂了轻金属氢化物纳米粉末，包括氢化铝锂 (LiAlH4) 和氢化镁 (MgH2)。使用多种表征技术研究了 FGSP 的热物理和弹道性能。氢化镁掺杂的 FGSP 表现出较低的粘度，促进了夹带辅助燃烧。掺杂有氢化铝锂的 FGSP 具有类似固体的行为，这使得它们在固相中更稳定，并且不易受到飞行载荷的影响。热表征表明，氢化铝锂使 FGSP 相对更耐热解，从而产生更大的炭产量。最后，通过对开发的 FGSP 进行静态弹道点火来评估燃烧特性。与基础燃料和传统 HTPB 燃料相比，掺杂的 FGSP 表现出显着的回归增强。与基础燃料和 HTPB 相比，掺杂 MgH2 的 FGSP 分别表现出高达 224% 和 353% 的最大增强。热表征表明，氢化铝锂使 FGSP 相对更耐热解，从而产生更大的炭产量。最后，通过对开发的 FGSP 进行静态弹道点火来评估燃烧特性。与基础燃料和传统 HTPB 燃料相比，掺杂的 FGSP 表现出显着的回归增强。与基础燃料和 HTPB 相比，掺杂 MgH2 的 FGSP 分别表现出高达 224% 和 353% 的最大增强。热表征表明，氢化铝锂使 FGSP 相对更耐热解，从而产生更大的炭产量。最后，通过对开发的 FGSP 进行静态弹道点火来评估燃烧特性。与基础燃料和传统 HTPB 燃料相比，掺杂的 FGSP 表现出显着的回归增强。与基础燃料和 HTPB 相比，掺杂 MgH2 的 FGSP 分别表现出高达 224% 和 353% 的最大增强。与基础燃料和传统 HTPB 燃料相比，掺杂的 FGSP 表现出显着的回归增强。与基础燃料和 HTPB 相比，掺杂 MgH2 的 FGSP 分别表现出高达 224% 和 353% 的最大增强。与基础燃料和传统 HTPB 燃料相比，掺杂的 FGSP 表现出显着的回归增强。与基础燃料和 HTPB 相比，掺杂 MgH2 的 FGSP 分别表现出高达 224% 和 353% 的最大增强。