EXPERIMENTAL TESTING OF A 3D-PRINTED ACRYLONITRILE BUTADIENE STYRENE (ABS) AND POLYLACTIC ACID (PLA) PROPELLANT GRAINS FOR A HYBRID ROCKET ENGINE

The present study investigates the feasibility of using 3D-printed Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) and Polylactic Acid (PLA) as propellant grains for hybrid rocket engines. The primary objective is to assess their combustion performance, focusing on regression rate, chamber pressure, and pressure drop across the orifice. The propellant grain is designed using a CAD software and manufactured using 3D printing techniques while taking the standard considerations of a propellant grains in a Hybrid Rocket Propulsion System (HRPS). Materials used for manufacturing of the 3D-printed propellant grain are ABS and PLA. In addition to the advantages of the 3D printing manufacturing technology, both materials exhibit significant reactivity when burned in the presence of an oxidizer. The present study concludes with a demonstration of manufacturing and static testing of the propellant grains for the HRPS. ABS produced a higher regression rate that suggests it is a better fuel for the Hybrid rocket propulsion system. Future studies will explore alternative 3D-printed materials, thrust profile evaluations, and extended-duration burn tests to further optimize fuel grain performance.