A novel electrolytic ignition monopropellant microthruster based on low temperature co-fired ceramic tape technology

A planar 2-D liquid monopropellant microthruster fabricated from low temperature co-fired ceramic tapes and ignited by electrolysis is reported. The volume of the combustion chamber was 820 nL (0.82 mm(3)). Silver electrodes were screen printed and positioned on the top and bottom surfaces of the combustion chamber. A DC voltage potential applied across the electrodes was used to initiate decomposition of hydroxylammonium nitrate (HAN) based liquid monopropellants. A thrust output of 150 mN was obtained using a voltage input of 45 V. Measured ignition energies were as small as 1.9 J. Ignition delays, as short as a few hundred milliseconds, were found dependent on the type of HAN-based propellant and the voltage potential.