Assessment of the Thermophysical Properties of Thermally Stressed RP-1 and RP-2

Density, speed of sound, and viscosity have been measured for samples of RP-1 and RP-2 that were stressed for 0.5 min at 475 and 510 degrees C at a pressure of 17 MPa. Density and speed of sound were measured from 5 to 50 degrees C for samples stressed at 475 degrees C and from 5 to 35 degrees C for samples stressed at 510 degrees C. Viscosity was measured from -10 to 50 and 35 degrees C for the samples stressed at 475 and 510 degrees C, respectively. All measurements were made at ambient atmospheric pressure (similar to 83 kPa). Additionally, the density and sound speed data were used to derive adiabatic compressibilities, and those results have also been included. Current results for the thermally stressed samples were compared to previously reported measurement results for unstressed RP-1 and RP-2. For all reported properties, increased thermal stressing resulted in increased fuel decomposition and increased deviations from unstressed values.