Ammonium perchlorate based composite propellant grain geometries via computer aided manufacturing

Abstract

Composite solid rocket propellant grains are traditionally cast with
longitudinal ports; the geometry of which governs the thrust profile.
Additive manufacturing is a type of computer aided manufacturing
technique that significantly relaxes the geometric design constraints
imposed by traditional casting methods. In this paper, we demonstrate the
additive manufacturing of AP based composite solid rocket propellant
grains, and make evident some of the associated advantages. Intricate port
geometries and reproducible pores can be incorporated in a facile manner.
Complex thrust profiles and super burning rates can be predictably
achieved in additively manufactured composite propellant grains.