Towards New Directions in Oxidizers/Energetic Fillers for Composite Propellants: an Overview

Abstract

There is continued interest in the development of safe and reliable composite propellant formulations using modern energetic ingredients such as energetic oxidizers/energetic ingredients, energetic binders, and energetic ballistic modifiers. There are continued efforts by energetic materials researchers, scientists, technologists and engineers to design composite propellant formulations with better ballistic properties than conventional formulations. The efforts in many research and development (R & D) laboratories all over the world are aimed at utilizing modern oxidizers/ energetic fillers for the development of composite propellant formulations for both space and defence applications. Composite propellants are considered to be the major source of chemical energy for rockets and missiles. Energetic oxidizers/fillers play vital roles in the preparation or manufacture of composite propellant formulations. Various energetic oxidizers/fillers have been developed during the last five decades to address environmental safety, high energy and processing conditions. In this article, the authors have reviewed the characteristic properties of the energetic oxidizers/fillers used in the preparation of composite propellants. The characteristic properties of the energetic ingredients play an important role in the preparation of composite propellant formulations with the desired mechanical properties. The advantages and disadvantages of various energetic oxidizers/ingredients for specific and potential propellant applications are also highlighted throughout the course of this review article. The future direction in composite propellant formulations calls for the development of green propellant formulations. Efforts will continue to seek alternative and more energetic oxidizers/fillers in comparison to conventional oxidizers. There is an urgent need to replace conventional oxidizers such as ammonium perchlorate with eco-friendly ingredients