要約

For decades, experimental propulsion systems based on gelled mono- or bipropellants have been established and tested. Detailed knowledge on early combustion and subsequent decomposition processes of gel-like propellants are still poorly understood and, beyond this, highly system specific. Within this work, nitromethane was gelled in experimental approaches with the help of inorganic and organic thickening agents. The prepared gels were thermally examined under inert and oxidative conditions. Results revealed a time-delayed influence on the decomposition and evaporation behavior of nitromethane-based gels depending on the agents used. Under the given experimental conditions, evaporation of nitromethane at medium temperatures was observed in all cases, indicating weak liquid-gelling agent interactions. Moreover, crucible remnants are spectroscopically characterized and revealed thermite-like reactions within metallized reaction mixtures at higher temperatures.