Impacts on combustion behavior of adding nanosized metal oxide to CH3N5-Sr(NO3)2 propellant

In firefighting area, the novel CH3N5-Sr(NO3)(2) is of growing interest as solid propellant gas generating agent. However, undesirable reaction temperature and burning rate of CH3N5-Sr(NO3)(2) limit their applications to fire-fighting systems, which forces fire researchers to find more fitting ingredient proportions or burning rate catalysts. This paper presents a detailed experimental study adding nanosized metal oxides (Fe2O3, CuO, and NiO) effects on CH3N5-Sr (NO3)(2) burning behaviors, including thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, specific surface area measurement, and thermal conductivity test. Results show, the additions of transition metal oxides (TMOs) increase the burning rate of the CH3N5-Sr (NO3) (2)-based propellants and decrease reaction temperature. The modifying effects of TMOs on combustion behavior alter both the condensed phase and gas phase reactions in a synergistic manner. The novel propellant formulation has shown a superior property to promote CH3N5-Sr (NO3)(2)-based propellants' application into fire-fighting area. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.