Effect of Modified Allotropic Forms of Carbon on the Burning Rate of Model Compositions of Paste-Like Fuels

Effect of carbon additives on burning rate of model composite propellants is studied. Paste-like propellant compositions are used, which are an analog of composite solid propellant with an uncured binder. The role of nanocarbon additives is played by different substances: detonation nanodiamond (DND), which is sometimes heat-treated or crushed to a size of 4 nm, multilayer carbon nanotubes, soot, activated carbon, graphite, adamantane, and graphene. Among all the allotropic forms of carbon, the greatest increase in burning rate (23%) was achieved with the addition of 2% DNA and 2 wt % plasticizer: the combustion product temperature decreases by ≈200°C, thereby reducing the probability of rocket engine burnout.