Combustion performances of Mg-Al alloy hydro-reactive metal fuel propellant

High active ball-milling Mg-Al alloy powders were prepared by a high-energy ball-milling process from Mg-Al alloy. Two groups of Mg-Al based hydro-reactive metal fuel propellants were prepared. The burning rate of the propellant was measured by a burning rate measuring system of solid propellants. The value of heat of explosion of the propellant was measured by an oxygen bomb calorimeter and the solid products of primary combustion were collected. The secondary combustion of the solid products of primary combustion was simulated in the water vapor high temperature tube furnace. The solid products of primary combustion and secondary combustion of hydro-reactive metal fuel propellants were characterized by SEM, XRD and chemical analysis method. Results show that high active ball-milling Mg-Al alloy hydro-reactive metal fuel propellants have higher burning rate and heat of explosion. The residual Al content in secondary combustion products is lower and the reaction of secondary combustion product is more thorough. High active ball-milling Mg-Al alloy can improve the primary combustion effect of hydro-reactive metal fuel propellants and the combustion efficiency of Al in secondary combustion.