Evolving mission criteria and cost-driven requirements for aerospace systems are motivating Air Force investment in the development of multifunctional materials. Environmental and occupational health concerns are also driving the development of non-toxic, “green” materials. However, because the industrial aerospace community is extremely risk-averse, the responsibility to achieve significant advances in materials technology falls largely to the government laboratories. This presentation will discuss on-going chemical and materials research performed at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Rocket Propulsion Division. Recent activities include fundamental research on the development of new polymer cure systems using non-toxic reactive compounds.<br/><br/>Current solid rocket propellant systems commonly use multifunctional isocyanates to cross-link a hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB) binder. Because this approach has resulted in many environmental and occupational health concerns, a more environmentally friendly chemical approach to the cure reaction is desired. Methods utilizing compounds and/or reactions commonly found in nature are, therefore, less likely to be subject to severe regulatory restrictions, but these approaches also often involve a trade-off between performance and environmental benefit. Thiol-ene “click” chemistry is somewhat similar to the current cross-linking method and is, therefore, likely to deliver the required performance without creating the environmental and health risks associated with isocyanates. The technical approach includes chemical synthesis of environmentally benign candidate polymers, as well as identification of cross-linking agents suitable for propellant binder systems. Examination of cure chemistry options, formulation of propellant samples, and characterization of the crosslinking chemistry will be examined.

Emergent cure chemistry in the development of aerospace materials

249th National Meeting (2015)

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