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Research on Crack Propagation of Nitrate Ester Plasticized Polyether Propellant: Experiments and Simulation
Hanwen Liu1, Jiangning Wang1, Xiaolong Fu1
1Xi'an Modern Chemistry Research Institute, Xi'an 710065, China.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 25, 2024
Summary
Fracture toughness of nitrate ester plasticized polyether (NEPE) propellant was studied using single-edge notched tension tests. Results show fracture toughness increases with tensile rate, crucial for solid rocket motor performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Solid Propellant Mechanics
- Fracture Mechanics
Background:
- Nitrate ester plasticized polyether (NEPE) propellant is critical for solid rocket motors.
- Understanding its fracture properties is essential for ensuring motor reliability and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the fracture properties of NEPE propellant under varying tensile rates.
- To determine the relationship between tensile rate and fracture toughness.
- To propose a criterion for solid rocket motor operational assessment.
Main Methods:
- Single-edge notched tension (SENT) tests were conducted at 20 °C with tensile rates from 10 to 500 mm/min.
- High-speed camera and drawing machine were used to analyze mechanical response and crack propagation.
- Bond-based peridynamic (BBPD) numerical simulations were performed to model fracture behavior.
Main Results:
- NEPE propellant exhibited blunting fracture and fluctuating crack propagation velocity.
- Fracture toughness demonstrated clear rate dependence, with a 62.3% increase in critical stress intensity factor (Kc) as tensile rate rose from 10 to 500 mm/min.
- BBPD simulations accurately predicted experimental load-displacement curves and crack propagation speeds.
Conclusions:
- The fracture toughness of NEPE propellant is significantly influenced by the tensile rate.
- A Kc-related criterion can help assess the normal operation of solid rocket motors.
- BBPD modeling provides a reliable approach for simulating NEPE propellant fracture.
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