HTPB propellant binder supplemented with nitro potato starch: Formulation, characterization, and thermal decomposition behavior

Abstract

This study conducted a detailed examination of the characteristics of hydroxyl‑terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) doped with potato starch nitrate (NPS) as a high-energy-density binder. The investigation specifically focused on evaluating the impact of NPS doping on the chemical structure, energetic attributes, and thermokinetic behavior of HTPB-NC binder systems. The findings demonstrated advantageous features, including favorable chemical compatibility, improved material density accompanied by remarkable thermal stability, substantial energy release, and high chemical reactivity. These findings contribute to the understanding of HTPB-NPS composite and offer evidence for its remarkable features, indicating promising prospects for its utilization in the development of advanced formulations for high-energy-density propellants in future applications.

Keywords

• Potato starch nitrate (NPS)
• Hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB)
• Energetic binder
• Propellants
• Decomposition kinetics