Effects of Oxidizer Content on Electrically Controlled Gel Polymer Electrolyte Monopropellants

An experimental investigation was conducted to characterize electrically controllable gel monopropellants in the form of gel polymer electrolytes. The gels utilize lithium perchlorate and ammonium perchlorate oxidizer salts complexed with an ionically conductive polymer. An applied electric potential causes the solid oxidizer ions to flow through the gel, leading to decomposition and ignition of the propellant. The ignition delay of the propellant with respect to the time of first contact between the propellant and the powered electrodes is collected via high-speed camera for several gels of increasing ammonium perchlorate composition in a fixed-weight percent polymer and total oxidizer ratio. A propellant is further studied under pressure to determine pressure deflagration limits. Material characterization is completed in rheological, impedance, and thermal decomposition studies to help understand the combustion properties of the propellants.