Static thrust measurement of two types of perforated solid propellant grain configurations

A laboratory scale experimental setup has been developed to explore an alternative source of solid propellant. A combination of potassium nitrate and ferric oxide embedded in epoxy binder constitutes the ingredients of the propellant used. A scanning electron microscope and nondestructive test (X-ray radiography) were utilized to study the crack surface and internal structure of the cured propellants. The influence of the epoxy mixing ratio on the sample density has been studied. Two solid propellant grain configurations were utilized to study the performance characteristics in terms of the thrust generated. It was found that the manufacturer's mixing ratio provided the optimum density results for the given set of configurations tested. The multiperforated grain configuration showed higher performance in terms of trust when compared with the single perforated grain configuration.