IMPROVEMENT OF SENSITIVITY OF LMH-1 PROPELLANTS

Thiokols program to define the cause of LMH-1 propellant sensitivity and, in turn, to decrease the sensitivity characteristics of these propellants was divided into two phases Phase I - Sensitivity Definition, and Phase II - Sensitivity Improvement. Factors affecting the sensitivity of both cured and uncured LMH-1 propellant have been investigated and defined. Studies which were conducted with regard to sensitivity definition indicated that both LMH-1 and ammonium perchlorate, separately, are insensitive to both impact and friction. The friction sensitivity of LMH-1 propellants is due to the relative ease of reaction of LMH-1 with oxidizer, and that to desensitize these propellants, contact between the two must be prevented or limited. Various methods of sensitivity improvement were examined. Some of these were surface treatments and coatings, binder solid bond studies, pasting techniques, and interrelationships between propellant variables. The friction sensitivity of the LMH-1 formulation tests varied from 1200 to 6000 rpm. The application of techniques to physically limit the contact of fuel to oxidizer, or to reduce the friction produced by the contact were responsible for these large decreases of sensitivity. These results were far beyond the established goals of the program. Impact sensitivity of propellants was found to be significantly affected by changes in ingredient particle size of solid ingredients. Author