Studies on the properties of EPDM–CSE blend containing HTPB for case-bonded solid rocket motor insulation

Elastomeric blends based on ethylene propylene diene (EPDM) rubber as a primary polymer have been investigated for the thermal insulation of case-bonded solid rocket motors (SRMs) cast with composite propellant containing hydroxy terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) as a polymeric binder. EPDM rubber found as an attractive candidate for the thermal insulation of case-bonded SRM due to the advantages such as low specific gravity, improved ageing properties, and longer shelf life. In spite of these advantages, EPDM, a non-polar rubber, lacks sufficient bonding with the propellant matrix. Bonding properties are found to improve when EPDM is blended with other polar rubbers like polychloroprene, chlorosulphonated polyethylene (CSE), etc. This type of polar polymer when blended with EPDM rubber enhances the insulator-to-propellant interface bonding. In the present work, an attempt has been made to study the properties of EPDM–CSE based insulator by incorporating HTPB, a polar polymer as well as a polymeric binder, as an additive to the EPDM–CSE blend by varying the HTPB concentration. Blends prepared were cured and characterized for rheological, mechanical, interface, and thermal properties to study the effect of HTPB addition. This paper reports the preliminary investigation of the properties of EPDM–CSE blend containing HTPB, as a novel and futuristic elastomeric insulation for case-bonded SRM containing HTPB as propellant binder. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.