Study on Properties and Performance of Cotton/Epoxy Composites Inhibitor

Abstract

Inhibitory effect of double-base solid propellants is exerted to control and prevent the burning degree of the exposed area which is due to longer burning time. In this research a composite inhibitor based on cotton fibers/epoxy resin was manufactured by filament winding technique. Some flame retardant materials such as antimony trioxide and tetrachlorophthalic anhydride were employed as the components of an inhibitor to control the burning process. A desirable viscosity of an epoxy resin should idealistic increase the wettability of fibers and create stronger adhesion to the propel-lant surface, as low density cotton fibers show high fracture strain. Some samples of composite inhibitors have been produced according to ASTM standards and their mechanical and thermal properties have been studied byseveral tests such as tensile and adhesive tests, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermomechanical analysis and flame retardancy. Finally the inhibited propellant charge, statically fired at ambienttemperature, was found to display a smooth and flat pressure-time profile which confirmed the successful performance of cotton/epoxy composite inhibition system without the application of any coating barrier. Also, it is evident that the burning time is increased as well.

Keywords

• propellant inhibitor
• cotton/epoxy composite
• flame retardant
• residual char
• thermogravimetry analysis