Performance of Novel Electrode Structures for Electrically Controlled Solid Propellant

Electrode structure is a significant factor influencing the ignition and combustion characteristics of electrically controlled solid propellant. This study designs three types of fixed-electrode structures: inclined plate, top side, and staggered. When the voltage exceeds 150 V, the propellant reacts and ignites in all electrode structures. In the inclined plate electrode structure, the combustion of the propellant is nonuniform; in the top-side electrode structure, the combustion is unstable. In the staggered electrode structure, the propellant combusts uniformly and stably, and increasing the operating voltage of the propellant can enhance the initial current peak during electrification, thereby accelerating the ignition process. However, when the voltage reaches above 350 V, the current rapidly decays to zero after electrification, preventing the propellant from sustaining combustion. When the spacing between electrodes in the staggered structure is 8 mm, only localized combustion occurs; at 4 mm spacing, high-temperature flames can easily lead to breakdown discharge under high voltage, resulting in unstable combustion. In the parallel-plate electrode structure, the power of the propellant is higher, leading to more intense combustion. However, this structure has a longer ignition delay time and is less capable of completely extinguishing after powering off.