Damage-ignition mechanism studies on modified propellant with different crosslinking density under dynamic loading

The study of high-energy and low-vulnerability propellants is important for the power performance and safety of solid propellant rocket motors. The modified split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) tests are performed on two kinds of propellant with different crosslinking density to study the dynamic mechanical responses and damage-ignition mechanism. SHPB apparatus is equipped with a high-performance infrared camera and high-speed camera to capture the deformation, damage-ignition feature and temperature evolution images in the impact process. The results suggested that the mechanical responses and damage-ignition mechanism of the propellants were affected by the strain rates and crosslinking density. The damage-ignition degree is more intense and the reaction occurs earlier with the increase of strain rates. For propellant 1 with higher crosslinking density, the critical ignition strain rate is 4500 s−1. Two kinds of propellants show different ignition mechanism, i.e. crack generation, propagation and final fracture for propellant 1 while viscous shear flow for propellant 2. Meanwhile, the SEM images also reveal the difference of damage-ignition mechanism of the two kinds of propellants. Finally, the ignition mechanism under different strain rates and critical ignition strain rate of propellants are further explained by the theoretical calculation of temperature variations.